West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson has said that Zoltan Gera's absence for the rest of the season will have an impact on the team.

The Hungarian midfielder was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after he ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee during the Baggies' loss to Tottenham Hotspur last month.

"It will impact us. When you lose a player who had started so well since getting back in the team and everyone was so pleased to see back at the club after his time down in London with Fulham it is a real tradgedy for him personally," said Hodgson.

"Before he can get really started here he's going to be forced to miss the rest of the season.

"It's a sad week for us to lose him as a person and as a player. Then I read that Lucas, a player who did well for me while I was at Liverpool, has suffered the same fate. The Premier League has lost two very, very good players for the rest of the season. Zoltan's loss will impact on us."

West Brom travel to Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League later today (Saturday).