Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers believes that Ferrie Bodde is "one of the unluckiest players alive".
The midfielder has struggled with injuries since Swansea were promoted to the Championship in 2008.
He appeared to be on the road to recovery last week when he appeared in a reserve match against Arsenal. However, he suffered a knee problem that requires surgery.
"Ferrie has got to be one of the unluckiest players alive," Rodgers told the South Wales Evening Post. "You look at what happened and it's virtually a nothing challenge.
"I have spoken to Ferrie, and he is trying to be upbeat because that is the guy he is.
"But he is going to need another operation. Once he has that, all being well that will take him up to being out for around four years. That's a long, long time for a footballer."
Bodde, 29, joined Swansea in 2007.
