Hull City have confirmed that Moses Odubajo will be on the treatment table for six months with a serious knee injury.
The 22-year-old, who joined the club from Brentford last year, ruptured his medial patellofemoral ligament during a pre-season friendly against Grimsby Town last week.
A statement via the club's official website revealed that Odubajo will meet with surgeons later this week to "discuss the next step".
"First and foremost, it's desperately disappointing news for Moses," said manager Steve Bruce. "He was exceptional for us last season as we won promotion back to the Premier League and we expect him to be a top player for many years to come.
"I know how much he was looking forward to testing himself in the top flight of English football and to now have to sit out the first half of the season is a big blow - both for him and for the club.
"Looking at the positives, at least the injury is not at the same level as the one suffered by Robert Snodgrass at the start of the 2014-15 season and, as a result, we will look forward to seeing Moses return to training in the New Year."
The injury blow comes after goalkeeper Allan McGregor and defender Alex Bruce were hit with six-month injury layoffs.
