Laursen flew out to Colorado in the USA to see surgeon Dr Richard Steadman in an effort to end his injury crisis.

Laursen could be set to miss the remainder of the season and rumours circulating in the press have suggested that Laursen may have to cut his career short in the near future.

This is another blow for David O'Leary, but after Ridgewell put in a rock-solid performance away at Manchester United and Gary Cahill had a highly successful loan spell at Burnley last season, homegrown talent could be a serious alternative.