Everton's Bolasie set for 2nd knee operation in March

Marco van Basten. Just Fontaine. Brian Clough. Ledley King. Owen Hargreaves.

Footballing lore is rife with the names of those whose careers were ravaged by debilitating injuries, and Everton's Yannick Bolasie is threatening to join that list after confirmation Thursday that the winger requires another knee operation in March.

Bolasie joined the Toffees in the summer on a big-money move from Crystal Palace, but was sidelined after picking up a knee concern during a draw with Manchester United in early December. Weeks later, the club confirmed the 27-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international would miss a year pending a second operation on his ACL.

He'll undergo that surgery in early March, Everton boss Ronald Koeman announced Thursday while updating reporters about the health of his squad.

"The surgery was expected because his first surgery was about the meniscus, and now what will happen at the beginning of March is about his cruciate," Koeman said.

Bolasie will not play again this season, nor is he likely to participate in Everton's preseason preparations.

"It is difficult to put a timescale because normally a cruciate can be six, seven, or eight months. We had to repair the meniscus and then wait until his knee was ready to have the second operation," Koeman added.

The progress of Bolasie's long-term recovery will determine his future as a footballer. Koeman says the pacey winger has the right attitude to return to the pitch.

"He is in several times during the week," the Dutch gaffer said. "He was OK, really positive, and working hard to come back, but like every player in that situation you get difficult moments in a day, difficult moments in the week. He is positive about coming back as strong as possible."