Four-time Olympic medalist Yevgeny Plushenko will undergo a neck surgery with a six-month recovery process, according to Russian news agency TASS.
Plushenko, 33, reportedly said last year that he hoped to compete in the 2016-17 season, feeling so well that he canceled a planned back surgery this month.
Plushenko has not competed since the Sochi Olympic team event. He was re-added to the Russian national team ahead of this season before being ruled out in September due to a back injury.
The top-level figure skating season starts with Skate America in late October.
Plushenko has said he may try to make a fifth Olympic team in 2018.
In 2006, Lithuanian ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas became the first figure skaters to compete in five Olympics.
Plushenko and 1920s and ’30s Swede Gillis Grafstrom are the only four-time Olympic figure skating medalists.
MORE: Plushenko says men will perform quad Axels in 10 years
