Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba is a doubt for the World Cup in Qatar later this year after having knee surgery.
Pogba, 29, suffered the injury in July and has not played yet this season.
France’s first World Cup match is against Australia on 22 November.
“This morning Pogba trained for the second time, but then stopped, and it was then decided that he undergo surgery,” said Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.
“We will realistically get him back in January.”
Juventus later said the surgery – selective external arthroscopic meniscectomy – was “a complete success”.
The Serie A season will pause after games on 13 November for the first winter World Cup and restart again in January.
Asked if Pogba would be ready for France’s World Cup defence, Allegri added: “The World Cup is not my problem, Juventus’ problem is that he comes back in January.”
Pogba rejoined the Serie A side this summer after his contract with Manchester United expired.
He scored in the 4-1 win over Croatia in 2018 as France won the World Cup for a second time.
Sunderland sign Man Utd forward Amad Diallo plus French duo Edouard Michut & Abdoullah Ba
Sunderland have signed Manchester United forward Amad Diallo on a season-long loan and France youth midfielders Edouard Michut and Abdoullah Ba.
Ivorian Diallo, 20, joined United from Atalanta for £19m in January 2021 but has only played nine senior games.
He spent the second half of last season on loan with Rangers.
Michut, 19, joins the Black Cats on a season’s loan from Paris St-Germain with an option to buy, while Ba, also 19, has signed a five-year deal.
He has moved permanently from Le Havre.
It is understood Diallo’s wages are being split between Sunderland and United
“I had a fantastic experience at Paris St-Germain, but now I’m ready for a new challenge,” said Michut.
“I travelled to the Stadium of Light on Saturday to watch the game against Norwich City and the atmosphere inside the stadium was unbelievable.
“This is an opportunity for me to level up as a player and I always wanted to play in England, but I also like the project and that is why I’m here. My preparation for the season has been good and I’m ready to help the team.”
Ba said: “I’m very happy to be here because this is a big club and one that has a lot of ambition.
“I want to make a lot of progress and make sure we keep building on our history.”