Gary Breen is a major doubt for the Republic of Ireland's upcoming crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland in Basel.
The Sunderland defender suffered a groin injury in the club's 3-1 defeat to Stoke on Tuesday and could be sidelined for up to a month.
The news is a massive blow to Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr who already has to plan without his suspended captain Kenny Cunningham. The Birmingham defender has, in the meantime, recovered from a groin injury of his own and is fit for the club's trip to Leeds tomorrow.
Both Cunningham and Breen have formed a formidable partnership at the back during Kerr's nine match reign and to go into such an important game with neither player will surely test Kerr's metal.
Kerr expected to turn to Manchester City's Richard Dunne and Andy O'Brien of Newcastle United to hold fort at the back. Both players featured in the recent 2-2 draw with Turkey, with Dunne coming of the bench to score a 90th minute equaliser.
John O'Shea, the Manchester United star, should start at left back against Switzerland although Kerr could deploy the Waterford youngster in the middle with Ian Harte, despite a lack of first team action at Leeds United, filling in in the corner.