Hull City boss Steve Bruce has resigned himself to being without leading goalscorer Sone Aluko for the remainder of the season.
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Aluko visited a second specialist in London yesterday in an attempt to finally clear up an ongoing Achilles injury that has already ruled him out for seven weeks.
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The scan results have deemed surgery is now unavoidable and Bruce confirmed this afternoon that Aluko will play no further part in the Tigers' promotion push.
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Although the extent of the operation is still to be decided, the 24-year-old will face either a two-month or six-month lay-off.
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"It's one of these complicated Achilles injuries where there's a difference of opinion between two surgeons, two of the best people in Europe," said Bruce.
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"We'll decide what route we'll go down over the next few days but it's fair to say to supporters that we're not going to see Aluko again this season. That is a tragedy for him and a tragedy for us."
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Aluko was the star of City's season up until injury first struck in late November, scoring eight goals after his free transfer from Glasgow Rangers.
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His focus will now turn to the 2013-14 season but a six-month rehabilitation will see him struggling to be fit for the start of the campaign.
Injuries can piss one off sometimes. This is a big blow on the club's face
They should start using a capable replacement.