Hull forward Sone Aluko has suffered a torn Achilles and will be out for eight to 10 weeks, manager Steve Bruce has confirmed.
Aluko suffered the injury in the warm-up prior to last weekend's 1-0 win over Sunderland at the KC Stadium that forced his late withdrawal from the starting XI.
A scan has now confirmed the extent of the damage, which is likely to see the 24-year-old former Rangers player sidelined until January.
The injury is just the latest setback for a player who missed the second half of City's promotion-winning campaign last season after undergoing Achilles surgery.
After a promising start to life in the Barclays Premier League - including hitting a spectacular winner in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle - Aluko was forced to sit out the recent league and cup double-header with Tottenham due to a calf problem.
Aluko's extended absence comes as another headache for Bruce, who has been forced to contend with injuries to the likes of Robbie Brady, Robert Koren, James Chester and Allan McGregor in recent weeks.
Source: PA
