England fast bowler Simon Jones is set to miss this winter's Ashes series after undergoing keyhole surgery in America on his left knee.
The Glamorgan star will be unable to bowl for at least five months following the operation, conducted on Wednesday.
The Ashes series begins in Australia in November but England will want Jones to be fully fit before he returns.
"His participation in the Ashes is extremely unlikely," England team doctor Peter Gregory confirmed.
"The rehabilitation from this surgery must be taken slowly to give Simon the best chance of a good result.
"We do not expect Simon to be bowling for five months."
Colorado knee specialist Richard Steadman's previous clients have included Darren Gough and top footballers Alan Shearer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Henrik Larsson.
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Jones, 27, took 18 wickets at just 21.00 apiece in the first four Tests against Australia in the 2005 Ashes.
But he has not played for England since breaking down with an ankle injury last August, during that fourth Test victory at Trent Bridge.
He underwent surgery and missed the pre-Christmas tour of Pakistan but went with the side to India, only to twist his left knee during practice, which necessitated another operation.
It is not, however, the same knee in which he ruptured a cruciate ligament while fielding against Australia at Brisbane in 2002, an injury which put him out of cricket for 15 months.