Newcastle striker Michael Owen will have an operation on his damaged right knee anterior cruciate ligament in around eight weeks' time.
The 26-year-old visited American surgeon Dr Richard Steadman to assess the injury he suffered in England's 2-2 World Cup draw against Sweden.
Owen will return home next week to recuperate after having treatment from Dr Steadman on a cartilage problem.
He will then return to America for surgery on the ruptured ligament.
Owen, who missed most of the second half of the 2005-06 season with a broken foot, is expected to be out for the rest of the year.
At first it was feared he may have ruptured both the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial ligament.
DOCTOR IN DEMAND
But a scan revealed it was only the cruciate that was damaged, reducing the length of time he will be unavailable.
Steadman has treated some of the world's top sporting stars, and helped save the career of former Magpies striker Alan Shearer.
Both Shearer, and another ex-Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy, benefited after turning to him with persistent knee problems.
Shearer played on well into his 36th year, while Bellamy recently sealed a £6m move to Liverpool after regaining his fitness and form.
Steadman's services will not come cheaply, and that may strengthen the Magpies' case for increased compensation from the Football Association.
The FA's insurers will take care of a percentage of Owen's £103,000-a-week wages.
But the club, who made their own additional arrangements, will have to pay for the remainder, his treatment and his absence from the team.
Fifa has indicated its £6m compensation fund is intended to provide for players whose associations or clubs have not taken out an insurance policy.
Chairman Freddy Shepherd has left the matter in the hands of the club's lawyers.