Simek has not played since getting injured in December (Getty)

Sheffield Wednesday's Frank Simek will miss the remainder of the season after a second ankle operation.

The Owls defender has not played since getting the injury against Crystal Palace in December.

Manager Brian Laws has told BBC Radio Sheffield that the news comes as a bitter blow to the club: "We have had to make a difficult decision.

"In the long term it is the right one, this is the best time for him to have it as he isn't in the team."

Simek signed a contract extension last summer and is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs outside the Premiership.

But the 23-year-old American has not featured at all since picking up the injury.

Laws added: "We have tried to get him to a certain level of fitness but we couldn't see him getting in the first team.

"We want Frank back playing at the level we know he can and so we have taken the option to get it done now."