The 26-year-old FC Twente wingback is expected to have the operation before Christmas Day and will be out for two to three months.

His representative, International Sports Management's Tom Brookes, told au.fourfourtwo.com that with the World Cup six months away, the timing isn't ideal but is something that has to be done. 

"He's gutted obviously," he said. "But it's about getting it right long-term."

The former Sheffield United and Sydney FC player was one of the best performing Socceroos in 2009 andscored a superb goal against Republic of Ireland in an August friendly in Limerick.

Carney endured a similar injury playing for the sky blues in the 2006/7 season of the A-League.

The news is all the more frustrating for the player and coach Steve McLaren as the Dutch outfit has advanced to the final 32 of the Europa League after last week's 1-1 draw with Steaua Bucharest.

Heading into the Dutch winter break, Carney's club didn't play on the weekend. The ladder-leader's game against Utrecht was cancelled due to the freezing conditions that have hit Europe.