The 27-year-old has been struggling to recover after a cruciate ligament operation in May 2009, only making a number of cameo appearances last season.

Amid doubts surrounding his career after the injury, it has been confirmed that the Egypt international has suffered a fresh blow.

"Omar Gamal will be out for eight months," Ismaili chairman Nasr Aboul-Hassan told FilGoal.com.

"Even though he completed his therapy, it seems that the operation was unsuccessful because his knee has been often swollen."

Gamal, who was part of Egypt's CAN 2008 squad, recently penned a contract extension with the Dervishes keeping him in Ismailia until 2013.