Ross McCormack has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs
Dave Jones expects Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack to be out for up to eight weeks after suffering a hamstring strain in his left leg.
The Scottish international pulled up sharply in the 36th minute of Cardiff's 1-1 draw at Blackpool on Saturday and was taken off on a stretcher.
McCormack is having a scan to determine the extent of his injury.
"When your hamstring goes, you are looking at a minimum four to five weeks out," says Bluebirds boss Jones.
McCormack's injury is not just a blow for Cardiff but Scotland as the 22-year was set to win his sixth cap for his national team for their crucial World Cup qualifying match against Macedonia in Glasgow on 5 September.
He was then set to star for Scotland - who are chasing second place in 2010 World Cup qualifying Group Nine - when the Netherlands visit Hampden Park four days later.
But Jones fears McCormack could be out for a long time and that would be a concern for club as well as country.
"You always worry when a player pulls up sharply and something pings," said Jones.
I have never done my hamstring but I've been told it is like being shot in the leg by a pellet from a pellet gun
Cardiff City boss Dave Jones
"I have never done my hamstring but I've been told it is like being shot in the leg by a pellet from a pellet gun.
"And as it has happened to Ross before, so we know there's history."
McCormack is one of half-dozen players struggling for fitness ahead of Cardiff's Championship visit to Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.
The striker joins fellow Scottish international Kevin McNaughton (ankle) on the medium-term injury list while full-backs Paul Quinn (knee) and Mark Kennedy (calf) are out.
Midfielder Stephen McPhail and centre-back Gabor Gyepes were doubts with knee and hamstring problems respectively but have been passed fit for the Home Park clash.
McCormack has been the subject of sustained transfer interest from Premier League clubs but his latest injury could mean him remaining at the Championship club.
Hull City are believed to have bid £3.5m for Cardiff's top scorer of last season but their interest cooled when the Bluebirds insisted they would not budge from a £5m valuation for the player.
Portsmouth have also made enquiries about the Scot but McCormack's injury may signal a drop in interest from Premier League suitors.
McCormack signed for Cardiff from Motherwell for £110,000 last summer and agreed a new four-year deal at the Welsh club last month.
But he requested the chance to talk to interested Premier League parties after being told he is not guaranteed a place up front for the Bluebirds.
Cardiff goalkeeper and Scotland international colleague David Marshall said: "Hopefully his hamstring is not too bad and we can get him back shortly because he's one of our best players."
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