West Ham United expect Lee Bowyer to be out of action for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
The midfielder suffered the injury during the early stages of his side's 6-0 thrashing at Reading on New Year's Day.
Bowyer picked up the problem after landing awkwardly under a challenge and was replaced by Shaun Newton less than 20 minutes into the game.
He is now likely to miss the rest of January, with The Hammers looking at six weeks before he is ready to return.
"Lee sustained a dislocation to his right shoulder and, although the joint is now back in place, he will be in a brace for around three weeks," head physiotherapist Steve Allen told the club's official website.
"We are probably looking at a spell of six weeks before he is fit to play again."
Bowyer's injury could now have an influence on manager Alan Curbishley's thinking as he looks to add to his shell-shocked squad during the transfer window.