Marcos Painter is a former Republic of Ireland under-21 international
Swansea City's Marcos Painter is upset he could miss the rest the season with cruciate knee ligament damage.
The 22-year-old full-back was stretchered off in the 50th minute of their 3-0 weekend win over Southampton.
Painter said: "I'm devastated at the news as I'm going to be out for a good while, the timescale is six months."
Painter is set to undergo surgery once the swelling on his right knee has subsided but he is confident of a full recovery.
Painter said: "I'm not going to rush the recovery.
"I'm going to follow the medical advice and take it steadily to make sure my knee's right before I come back.
"It all depends on how quickly my body recovers. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I can get back early.
"I heard a snap as I was approaching a player and with that came the immediate pain in my knee which was just agony. It's the worse pain I've experienced.
"But as soon as I got on to the stretcher I was asking to play on because the pain seemed to die off a bit."
Boss Roberto Martinez conceded it was a blow to Swansea due as Painter's performances have been excellent this season.
"Long-term injuries are the worst thing about being a professional footballer," said Martinez.
"Marcos now has a great challenge to get back on the pitch before the season ends but he should have a great feeling of pride for what he has done for Swansea City because his level of performances have been fantastic.
"Now he must his time out to get stronger in certain areas and to prepare mentally for the challenges ahead to make sure he is a better person and player on his return."
Fede Bessone is in line to replace Painter in Martinez' patched-up defence for Swansea's trip to Championship high-flying Wolves rather than starting the more experienced Angel Rangel or Alan Tate out of position.
Tate came on for Painter at left-back against Southampton on the weekend but Martinez said: "You need players in their natural positions if you're going to try to win football games, especially in a division as competitive as the Championship.
"I think it would be a bit unfair to start with players out of position - and Fede is a left-back."
Martinez said: "It is disappointing for us but we now hope Marcos recovers quickly."
Painter's injury came just days after Swans goalkeeper Dorus de Vries was stretchered off in their midweek draw against QPR with horrific facial injuries.
The Dutchman will be out for at least six weeks with a hairline jaw and depressed cheekbone fractures that required surgery.
"It is disappointing to suffer another footballing accident," Martinez told BBC Sport.
"Marcos' boot was locked in the ground and his knee gave way a little.
"But it is another test of the strength in depth of our squad."
Painter's injury was the only negative of an impressive 3-0 demolition of Southampton at the Liberty Stadium where teenage Polish goalkeeper Artur Krysiak enjoyed a good debut in de Vries' absence.
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