Phoenix defender Louis Fenton has been ruled out of the rest of the 2019-20 campaign.

Wellington Phoenix defender Louis Fenton has been dealt another cruel blow, ruled out of the remainder of the A-League season through injury.

The luckless right-back underwent surgery in Auckland on Friday after dislocating his shoulder against Melbourne City in round four.

It is the latest setback for a player who has already endured a long list of injuries, previously dislocating both shoulders and breaking his leg and foot.

"It's disappointing for us and for Louis himself. I think it's something that needed to get done," coach Ufuk Talay confirmed to Stuff at training on Monday.

READ MORE

* Phoenix leave it very late

* VAR helps Phoenix win

* Phoenix stick with winning formula

"He'll miss the season, which is a big blow for us, but we've got a couple of players who can do a job for us; Tim Payne is there and Callan Elliot is available as well.

"The main thing is we get him right, he gets his body right and he's ready for pre-season next year."

GETTY IMAGES Louis Fenton in action against Perth Glory earlier this season.

Despite dislocating his shoulder in the early stages of last month's match against City, Fenton actually went on to finish the match.

In the second half he was the subject of a highly controversial VAR decision, conceding a penalty for handball despite replays backing up his claim that the ball never touched his arm.

Having resumed full training earlier this month there was a sense of optimism that the injury was more short-term than long-term. However, Talay said it was in Fenton's best interests to undergo surgery in order to risk further damage.

"We've been speaking with the medical staff for quite a while around what was best for Louis at the end of the day and we came to the decision that he needed to get the surgery to make sure that it doesn't happen again," he said.

"It's not fair to him and it's not fair to us where he has an up and down season and it effects him and also the team, so it was a decision we came to and in Auckland on Friday he had surgery.

"He hasn't had a great run but it's part of the game, it's happened and the main thing now is that he recovers well and he gets ready [for next season]."

Talay said the Phoenix were already looking into the possibility of signing an injury replacement in the January transfer window, although he was satisfied with the cover at right-back, where Payne has put in a solid shift.

"I think Tim has been really good since he's come in, it's not his natural position but I think he's growing game by game."

Meanwhile, Alex Rufer is still awaiting the results from his MRI scan after injuring his knee in Saturday's 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.