South Afrian striker Davide Somma could have played his last game for Leeds United after he was forced to undergo another operation.
The 28-year-old, whose contract with the Yorkshire club expires in June, had surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his knee and will therefore miss the remaining two games of the season.
Injuries have regularly interrupted Somma's career at Elland Road, during which he has scored 13 goals in 39 appearances, including 12 in 2010/11.
He has played only six times since rupturing ligaments in a pre-season match in 2011.
Leeds manager Brian McDermott said: "He's not okay. He's done his cartilage and he's had an operation. It's very unfortunate for him.
"I don't know exactly how serious it is at the moment but he needed it done."
Leeds originally signed Somma on a short-term basis after bringing him to England on trial from American side San Jose Earthquakes.
He has previously played for Italian sides Perugia, Pro Vasto and Olbia and represented his country at full international level.
The England midfielder has started the midweek draw with Everton - but he was rested as a precaution by Wenger, only coming on at Craven Cottage late on.
"Jack was a bit in pain after the game. He has a break until next Sunday and that is different so he will be available," Wenger told the Daily Mirror.
"There is no basic ankle problem. I do not want to go into a vicious circle again when I play, I play him, I play him and then suddenly.
"I think coming back after six weeks out, two games in a week was enough.
"I just felt we had to stop him because of inflammation last time and I just felt to give him three games in six days would be too much.
"I do not want to go into a vicious circle again when I play, I play him, I play him and then suddenly, I think coming back after six weeks out, two games in a week was enough.
"Jack has a game that is based on dribbling so they are more exposed to kicks and players who are just passing players and you don't want him to lose that because that is his strength."
