Eric Bledsoe has reportedly been told that he will require an operation on his injured knee and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

Despite initial suggestions that the 24-year-old had only suffered a sprain, ESPN claims that the point guard will need a procedure to repair cartilage in his right knee.

Bledsoe has not yet secured a contract extension with the Suns and his future with the franchise remains unclear due to Goran Dragic's recent impressive form when Phoenix have decided to use two point guards on the court.

The Suns will now have to make plans to deal with the absence of a player who has averaged 18 points per game this season.