Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has taken to social media to confirm that he has undergone successful surgery on a fracture in his left foot.
The 29-year-old, who has been hampered with injury issues throughout this season, played the first 45 minutes of the Citizens' 3-1 comeback victory over Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.
However, Ake was withdrawn at half time and Pep Guardiola issued a worrying update on the Dutchman's fitness after the match at the Etihad Stadium.
"Now again we have central defenders out. I think we are going to miss Nathan," Guardiola told reporters.
Man City are already having to cope without fellow defenders Manuel Akanji (abductor) and John Stones (thigh), the former of whom underwent surgery in the middle of last month, and Ake will now join the pair in the treatment room.
Ake has taken to social media to confirm an injury that has been 'bothering him for months' and has subsequently taken the decision to undergo surgery to address the issue.
"This has been such a frustrating season for me but I have now had a successful surgery on a fracture in my foot which has been bothering me for months," Ake wrote on Instagram as he lay in his bed giving a thumbs-up.
"I am looking positively to the future! Rest and recover now, see you soon Cityzens and thank you for your support."
How long could Ake be out for? How will Man City cope without him?
It remains unknown as to exactly how long Ake will be sidelined for, but the possibility of the Dutchman's season being over cannot be ruled out.
Information provided on the NHS website states that most fractures in the foot normally take up to six weeks to heal, but that is dependent on the severity of the fracture, and considering that Ake has required surgery, it may take longer to fully heal.
In the absence of Ake, Guardiola has Ruben Dias - who has had his fair share of fitness issues this season - as his only senior centre-back option, meaning that January signings Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, and Vitor Reis, 19, will be required to step up in the latter stages of this season.
Both Khusanov and Reis have recently impressed when called upon, with Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany heaping praise on the latter following his home debut against Plymouth.
Josko Gvardiol could also be called upon to play in central defence, although Guardiola has preferred using the Croatian as a marauding left-back, while academy graduate Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has already featured in six first-team games this season in all competitions.
Man City are next in action away against fellow Premier League top-four hopefuls Nottingham Forest on Saturday, before concluding the month of March with a home clash against Brighton & Hove Albion and an FA Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth.
Oliver Thomas
