SYDNEY, Nov 30: Paceman Mitchell Johnson is likely to be sidelined for up to five months with a foot injury, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday, almost certainly ruling him out of upcoming Test series against New Zealand and India.

The 30-year-old, who has taken 190 wickets in 47 Tests, injured his left foot in the recent Test victory against South Africa and subsequent scans revealed a piece of metal embedded under his big toe.

“Mitchell will travel to Melbourne this week to be reviewed by specialist doctors and will most likely need surgery, which is expected to keep him out of cricket for four to five months,” team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a news release.

“The programme for his recovery will be assessed following any surgery.”

Johnson, ICC Player of the Year in 2009, has endured a disappointing 12 months with the ball since being unceremoniously dropped for the second Ashes Test against England last year.—Reuters