Crystal Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has been ruled out for six weeks, manager Alan Pardew has confirmed.
The France international suffered a knee injury in training and missed the defeats to Manchester City and Swansea, but will now undergo surgery on the problem ruling him out for an extended period.
Wayne Hennessey has deputised for the 31-year-old in recent weeks and will likely stand in during Mandanda's stint on the sidelines.
Pardew confirmed: "Steve Mandanda's going to have an operation on his knee this week. We think he's out for 6 weeks. His knee locked up in training."
Mandanda arrived at Selhurst Park from Marseille for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £1.5million, but has failed to keep a clean sheet as the Eagles have tumbled down the Premier League table.
His injury is the latest blow to Palace, who are currently without Connor Wickham and Loic Remy due to Injury.
Meanwhile, left-back Pape Souare cast doubt over his future in football in an interview on Thursday following his September car crash.
