Neil Warnock has confirmed Kieron Dyer is to undergo an operation on his foot and is not expected to feature for QPR again this season.
Dyer has been sidelined since he suffered a foot injury just five minutes into his QPR debut against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign.
The former England international was expected to make his comeback after Christmas, but the 32-year-old hurt his foot again playing for the reserves earlier in the week.
"This is a devastating blow for Kieron," Warnock told the club's official website.
"The specialist said he thought Kieron could return before Christmas without the need for an operation and is disappointed that this is not the case, and he has no alternative now but to operate.
"I have absolutely no doubt that he will recover after the operation. We are going to support him as best we can because he has got such a contribution to make, both on and off the field."
Warnock is likely to leave Dyer out of his 25-man squad when he re-submits it to the Premier League.
Sam Hughes
