Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney will head to America to visit leading specialist Dr Richard Steadman in an effort to solve his knee problem.
The Wales international, who is out of contract in the summer, has been dogged by injury and has not played this term.
"He wants to go and see Dr Steadman which we are hoping to arrange," confirmed Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
"Just getting fit would be more in Mark's mind than worrying too much about contracts. He's very frustrated."
Fellow Villa defender Martin Laursen was given a successful diagnosis by Dr Steadman after two injury-wrecked years at Villa, although ironically he is now out of action with a problem in the other knee.
"Mark is not comfortable with the knee but it is far too early to start make long lasting assessments," added O'Neill.
"It's a shame. He has not kicked a ball this season but that is through no fault of his own.
"He has made every attempt to try and get fit but as the seasons are going past he has been playing less and less.
"He has a great attitude and he wants to get fit. If he says there is a problem, I take his word for it. I just hope he gets some good news from seeing Dr Steadman."
Delaney was expected to return over Christmas but this latest setback means he will now miss Wales' friendly with Northern Ireland on 6 February.
The full-back has been at Villa for seven years but a succession of knee problems limited him to only 16 games for his club last season.
His last appearance for Villa was in the FA Cup fifth-round match against Manchester City in February.
He played for Wales in the Czech Republic on 2 September but went off with a knee problem.
And Wales manager John Toshack will already be worried about Delaney's chances of facing the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2008 qualifier at Croke Park on 24 March.