Erik Lamela ruled out for rest of the season

Lamela has been missing since October when he picked up the hip problem in training and despite Mauricio Pochettino suggesting he will be back before the end of the season the player has been unable to return to first-team action.

The club have now released a statement saying that Lamela will undergo surgery in order to try to help him to return to a position where he can participate in training again.

Lamela had started the season well and during the last campaign he was a key part of Pochettino's pressing style.

In his absence Pochettino has sometimes moved to a 3-5-2 formation with Christian Eriksen moving inside and Dele Alli playing just off Harry Kane.

Lamela's contract is due to expire at the end of the 2018-19 season but there has been some speculation that he could be moved on in the summer.

During his time out with injury he has had to travel back to Argentina to deal with a domestic incident involving his brother and he has spent time with former club Roma in order to improve his condition.

Lamela has tweeted saying that he wants to come back stronger following the operation.