Doncaster Rovers defender James Husband will be out of action for around three months with a shoulder injury.
The 19-year-old, who broke into the club's first team in 2011, is regarded as one of the best young defenders in the Championship.
However, it has been confirmed that he will now miss the next 12 weeks of the season after learning that he needs shoulder surgery, which is expected to take place on Wednesday.
The left-back suffered the injury in his side's home defeat to Burnley last week.