Midfielder Chris Herd has returned to Aston Villa from his loan spell at Wigan Athletic to have surgery on a medial ligament injury.
The 25-year-old was stretchered off in the second half in the Latics' 1-0 victory against Reading on Tuesday, their first win of the year.
Wigan manager Malky Mackay told BBC Sport: "[Herd] has been a terrific servant since coming into the club and desperate to play football.
"Unfortunately he fell on his knee and his medial ligament has snapped and he's going to need surgery. He is going to have to go back to Aston Villa and leave us."
Wigan currently sit second from bottom in the Championship table.
