Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Kenny Jackett has confirmed that goalkeeper Aaron McCarey has undergone an operation on his back.
It was decided that the 22-year-old should have the procedure as several other methods of treatment failed to correct the problem.
"Aaron has a disc in his back that's basically bulging and needed correction through surgery. It's quite serious. I would estimate two to three months," Jackett told the club's official website.
"The relevant information from the medical people was if there wasn't enough improvement in trying to manage it for the last two months then it needed surgery. Surgery is a last resort but that's been the process so far this season."
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international joined Wolves from Monaghan United in 2010.