Brighton & Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk could be ruled out for up to three months with knee ligament damage, according to a report.
The 30-year-old sustained his injury in the final moments of the 1-1 draw away against West Ham United on December 1, and subsequently missed his first Premier League game of the season against Southampton last weekend.
According to the Daily Mail, Dunk could be sidelined until late February or early March if he requires an operation, potentially missing the next 12 matches across all competitions.
However, the report also states that the Seagulls remain hopeful the defender will not need to undergo surgery, which could see him return shortly after the New Year.
Dunk has been a mainstay in Brighton's backline, making 358 appearances across all competitions since his debut in 2010.
This news will come as another blow for head coach Graham Potter, who is already without Adam Webster (calf), Adam Lallana (thigh), Leandro Trossard (arm), Steven Alzate (ankle), Danny Welbeck (thigh) and Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) due to injury.
