Doctors say fractures to his left arm and leg mean the penalty-corner specialist will be out of action for at least three months.

He is certain to miss this month's Asia cup in Malaysia, where India are lined up against arch-rivals Pakistan, as well as champions South Korea.

Singh was injured after a car he was driving on Tuesday night crashed into a roadside lamp-post in the northern state of Punjab.

However, Indian hockey officials hope he will recover in time for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Spain next March.

Singh's skill at scoring goals from penalty corners was a highlight of the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam last month, in which India finished fourth.

Penalty-corner conversions have long been seen as the Indian hockey team's Achilles heel.