Injury-hit Roma forward Kevin Strootman is facing a career-defining decision after being advised to undergo a third operation on his troublesome left knee, reports said Wednesday.

Strootman joined the Giallorossi for the 2013-2014 season but in the past two seasons the highly-rated Dutch international has made only 31 appearances -- and he could now face another season on the sidelines.

Reports in Italy claim the 25-year-old has visited several specialists for advice since feeling pain in his knee during a pre-season tour of Australia, and has since been advised to undergo further surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

It would be his third in the space of 17 months, and could end his season.

Strootman initially damaged his knee in March 2014 in a 1-0 defeat to Napoli, ruling him out for the remainder of that season.

He returned to action eight months later, in November, when he made a brief substitute's appearance in a 3-0 win over Torino and made his first start for Roma a month later.

But Strootman hit a stumbling block in January, 2015 when he was stretchered off against Fiorentina after sustaining further damage to his ACL. Days later, he underwent his second operation.

Roma have yet to make any official announcement but losing Strootman again would be a significant blow as the capital side look to challenge scudetto holders Juventus for the third consecutive season.