ALEXIS SANCHEZ is set to undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle that will rule him out until after Christmas.
The on-loan Manchester United star, 30, dislocated tendons in his ankle during Chile’s draw with Colombia during the international break.
Having been referred to a specialist in Barcelona, it’s been advised Sanchez have surgery in a huge blow for the in-form forward.
Doctors have told the Chilean forward he will now be out for between two-and-a-half and three months to recover.
The news will come as a blow to both players and his bosses – with Chile chief Reinaldo Rueda particularly frustrated.
After the Colombia draw, Rueda said: “He could end up under the knife. Inter, his club, will decide.
“We could lose him for two or three months.
“It’s a shame because he had started playing again with Inter and scored two goals, while also playing in the Champions League.
“He was happy and super motivated. Now we have to wait for these decisive hours.”
The ex-Arsenal star has enjoyed a return to form since signing for Inter this summer.
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Sanchez scored in the 3-1 win over Sampdoria and setting up another at Barcelona in the Champions League.
However, he was sent off in the Serie A win over Sampdoria in a bizarre run-out.
Meanwhile, Sanchez’s Inter Milan team-mates were forced to train in a freak, torrential downpour by boss Antonio Conte ahead of Sunday’s clash with Sassuolo.