Veteran Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has been ruled out for up to three months by a toe injury.
The former Germany international, 35, sustained the injury in training on Monday and is set to visit a specialist in Switzerland for an exact diagnosis.
City boss Mark Hughes told his club's website: "The best scenario is he's out for nine weeks but it could be 12."
Hamann, who joined City from Liverpool in July 2006, is out of contract at Eastlands at the end of the season.
Obviously it is a blow for Didi but we are a bit light in midfield areas so we could have done without this
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes
Hughes is already without long-term injury absentee Michael Johnson, while another of his central midfielders, Stephen Ireland, is suspended for Saturday's Premier League game against Wigan.
"Didi kicked a ball in training yesterday with the end of a toe, and unfortunately it looks like he may have ruptured a tendon," added Hughes.
"He will go over to Zurich today to see a surgeon that he has seen with a similar injury before. The feeling is that it is the same thing that has happened before.
"Obviously it is a blow for Didi but we are a bit light in midfield areas so we could have done without this."
Hamann has played 18 games for City this season, with his last appearance coming in their 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on 3 January.
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