Bussell hopes to return in time for a tour of Russia

In March, she was forced to quit the stage during the premi�re of Sleeping Beauty because of a pain in her foot.

A frozen muscle was originally thought to have been causing the pain but tests have revealed bone spurs on the front of her right ankle were exacerbating the injury.

She will now have an operation to remove the spurs - bone growths that are formed on existing bone - and will need at least six weeks to recuperate.

Bussell was due to star in a production of Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House and will be replaced as Juliet by Italian dancer Alessandra Ferri.

The late MacMillan is largely credited with discovering Bussell while she still a student and later cast her in the leading role in the Prince of Pagodas in her first season with the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet.

Bussell hopes to rejoin the Royal Ballet in St Petersburg in July for the second half of its Russian tour.