Spanish giants Real Madrid ended weeks of doubts on Thursday by saying that Gonzalo Higuain will undergo an operation on his injured back, dpa reported.
Higuain, 22, has been out of action for a month now with a slipped disk. He tried to avoid an operation bu undergoing treatment back in his native Argentina but this has not worked, and the Real doctors have finally bowed to the inevitable and organized an operation.
This will take place next Tuesday in Chicago, United States, and will be performed by specialist Richard G. Fessler of Northwestern University.
Higuain will be out of action for at least three months. Real coach Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday that he expected Higuain to be out for the rest of the season.
Mourinho bemoaned the fact that he now has only fit striker, Karim Benzema, and that Real do not seem to be interested in buying a replacement for Higuain in the January transfer window.
Higuain, who played for Argentina at the World Cup, is now doubtful for the Copa America tournament, which will take place in Argentina from July 1 to 24.
Higuain joined Real from River Plate in January 2007 and, after a slow start in La Liga, has become one of the most respected and effective strikers in Spain.