McNamara has played only nine games for his new club

The 31-year-old Scotland full-back had played only nine games for Wolves after joining from Celtic when he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in training.

He will undergo reconstruction surgery on Thursday and Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle said: "It's a massive blow.

"It was such an innocuous challenge, you would never have imagined that the outcome would be so serious."

He added: "There was a chance that he could recover without surgery so we gave him some time but it wasn't to be. It's a bitter, bitter blow.

"It is unlikely that he will be back before the season ends but we are always hopeful."

McNamara spent 10 years at Celtic before making a surprise move to Wolves.

"It is devastating news," said the 31-year-old, who suffered the injury in September.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed myself since my move to Molineux and I wanted to play my part in helping the club to get promotion.

"This is the most serious injury that I've had in my career but it's happened and I just have to get on with things.

"I'm having the operation next week and then, after a recovery period, I'll be in the gym working on getting back."