England batsman Michael Vaughan needs knee surgery ahead of this winter's Ashes tour to Australia.
Vaughan has hit three centuries and averaged 73 in six Tests this summer.
The England opener will not miss the fourth and deciding Test against India at the Oval which starts on Thursday.
However Vaughan's surgeon Derek Bickerstaff told BBC Sport Online: "Michael will be undergoing an operation on his cartilage soon."
The Sheffield-based specialist has also operated on Vaughan's fellow England stars Darren Gough, Mark Butcher and Craig White.
England coach Duncan Fletcher has described the Graham Thorpe conundrum as a "very delicate situation."
But he will consider the Surrey left-hander's claims before naming the touring party for Australia.
Thorpe announced he would take a break from all cricket, but is yet to return to action although he has revealed he would like to play in the Ashes.
"We know he's a good cricketer technically and he's done very well for England. It's just mentally - if he going to be up for it."
Fletcher said Thorpe has spoken to him on Monday and had seemed "upbeat" about life in general.
Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 61-year-old Yorkshireman announced he had pulled out of a commentating job for England's fourth Test against India on Thursday after tests on a lump in his neck showed the "existence of cancerous tissue".
"Further tests will now be taken to determine the extent and possible treatment.
"I am sad to be missing the Oval Test and I wished to explain my sudden withdrawal from commentating."
