Richard Dunne has gone under the knife for a third time in the hope it will finally brind an end to his spell out of action.
The inspirational Aston Villa stopper underwent early season surgery and had to undergo a further operation on his hip after returning to training last month.
Dunne initially suffered the setback when part of the Republic of Ireland's abysmal showing during the summer in the European Championships.
"Dunny got hurt at the Euros and it's never really cleared up. I think that's where it's come from," Villa boss Paul Lambert said.
"He had another operation yesterday in America so hopefully once and for all that will be cleared up.
"I think America was the only place he could get that done. He'll come back in the next few days and hopefully then start his rehab and get going again.
"It's all stemmed from his hip area.
"We tried to sort out one thing and then it went to another, then it's gone to another thing. I've never seen anything like this. I don't think the medical people have seen anything like this."