"The news has come as a bitter blow to Stephen," a statement on the player's website said.

"He has been working hard in the last week or so to prove he is fine and fit."

The Fenerbahce midfielder suffered from complications surrounding his long-term knee injury and will be sidelined for two months.

He is set to go back to Italy to get a second opinion but it’s almost sure that he won’t be available to play the challenge on his home land.

It comes as a huge blow for coach Claude Le Roy who will miss an inspirational player and the team’s leader.