Derby County midfielder Stephen Pearson could be out for up to four months after a undergoing a knee operation.
The 25-year-old, who had been playing with the help of an injection, underwent surgery on Monday.
Rams manager Paul Jewell told the club website: "It is a blow to Stephen and a blow to us.
"He has had a problem for a while. The operation went very well but it is a serious injury and will probably keep him out for three to four months."
Pearson signed for Derby from Celtic in 2007 and had a spell on loan at Stoke last season.
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