Fulham defender Zdenek Grygera has confirmed he will not play again this season, but is confident of returning from knee surgery next term.
Grygera has undergone two operations after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture during November's Barclays Premier League game against Tottenham.
The summer signing from Juventus was initially ruled out for six months, but has revealed he is still at least three and a half months away from making his comeback.
"I'm feeling really positive about my knee and my recovery from injury," the 31-year-old told his club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.
"I had two surgeries with Dr Richard Steadman, one before Christmas and one in February. Dr Steadman told me after the second surgery the recovery should be five or six months.
"With how I feel right now, I think the maximum will be five months but we will see later on when I start to run.
"On Thursday, it will be six weeks since my surgery and I'll start to do more in terms of my recovery now.
"I'll be doing more on the bike and working on the upper body in the gym, but I feel very good."
