Chipolopolo winger Lameck Banda will be out of action for a months.
Banda underwent a successful knee operation on Tuesday in Italy.
The Lecce winger has made 21 appearances, scored 2 goals in Seria A this season.
Should his recovery and rehabilitation go as planned, the 23 year old might feature for Zambia in the World Cup qualifiers in June.
The Chipolopolo Boys will have back to back World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Morocco.
Banda was one of a few players who stood out for Zambia at the CAF 2023 African Cup of Nations.