Grella has made just seven appearances for Rovers this season as he has struggled with injuries and has decided to go under the knife to ensure he is fully fit ahead of next season.

"It has been hard for Vinny because he's picked up niggly injuries and this one has been quite a big operation on his Achilles," Blackburn boss Steve Kean said.

"He has had the plantaris removed and hopefully he can get some rehab under his belt and look forward to an injury-free season next season.

"I think he won't play again this season."

It's unclear at this stage if the injury will rule the 31-year-old out of the early stages of Australia's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in September, although Grella has featured for the Socceroos since last year's World Cup.

While Grella has rarely featured this season, his unavailability is more bad news for Blackburn who find themselves in a relegation battle, just one point above the drop zone.

Rovers travel to the Emirates this weekend to face title-chasing Arsenal.