Fulham full back Jerome Bonnissel has been ruled out until the end of the season after undergoing surgery on a troublesome ankle injury.

The French defender has been struggling with a serious ankle sprain since December and after weeks of delaying the inevitable, the former Deportivo La Coruna left-sider has now had surgery in Paris.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman brought Bonnissel to the Premiership club in the summer and after making a promising start to his career after moving from Bordeaux, the player is understandably disappointed by this latest setback.

''The ligaments were seriously damaged,'' confirmed Bonnissel. ''I waited a little before making the decision to operate.

''I even spent 15 days at Clairefontaine to get treatment.

''Now I must keep my plaster on for six weeks, then, I will rejoin Capbreton for re-education.''

The talented 30-year-old will not appear again this term and his continued absence will be a blow to Coleman's bid to bring European football to Fulham, in his first full season in charge.