The injury was sustained when McCarthy collided with the goalpost in Reading's 1-1 draw at QPR in November.

The former England Under-21 international has tried to overcome the problem, but it has been determined he must now go under the knife.

McCarthy tweeted on Thursday afternoon: "On route back home from London, was expecting the outcome with the specialist. Surgery on Monday. My season over! #Raging"

Australian custodian Adam Federici will assume the number one role for the Royals, with Stuart Taylor and Mikkel Anderson as back-up options.

Federici's next test will come when Manchester United visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.