Leeds United player Yosuke Ideguchi might not even make his debut for the club, after suffering a bad knee injury for loan club Greuther Furth.
The Japan international ruptured ligaments during a 1-0 win over Dynamo Dresden on Sunday.
After some assessments in the week, it has been determined that he tore his posterior cruciate ligament.
It is the same injury that has ruled out striker Patrick Bamford until the new year.
Ideguchi hasn’t yet made his debut for Leeds following his move to Elland Road in January from Gamba Osaka.
He was sent on loan to Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa during the second half of last season after not featuring for the Whites’ first-team.
It was an unsuccessful stint though, with Ideguchi barely playing as the club unsuccessfully fought in a relegation battle.
‘We’ll support him as much as possible’
Greuther Furth coach Damir Buric has insisted he and his staff will do all they can on their end, as the play prepares for his spell on the sidelines.
He said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We all feel for Yosuke and we’re very sad that he will be out because of this serious injury.
“We’ll support him as much as possible from the club’s side and wish him all the best a good recovery.”
The player is to now return to Elland Road, where he’ll be in good company with a number of first-team players occupying the treatment room.
Future in doubt?
Ideguchi has had a rotten year, and missed out on the World Cup after playing such little football.
Marcelo Bielsa deemed him surplus to requirements, and he now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He will become the forgotten man, as Bielsa focuses on the players at his disposal.
There’s a good chance Leeds will be fighting for promotion this year.
If they succeed, then surely Ideguchi could be struggling to even make his competitive debut for the club, with the club likely to strengthen significantly.