Newcastle United winger Gabriel Obertan is facing four months out.
The 25-year-old pulled up during the first half of Saturday's 1-0 win over Liverpool with a thigh injury and needed lengthy treatment before being taken away on a stretcher.
And tests have now revealed the severity of the injury, a torn thigh muscle which means Obertan is unlikely to return before March.
His absence is a blow for manager Alan Pardew, who turned to the out-of-favour Frenchman following the club's seven-match winless start to the season.
