Tottenham midfielder Gustavo Poyet could miss up to eight months of the new season after breaking down in training.
The Uruguayan star had been recovering from a minor operation on his knee and was hopeful he would be back in action in time for the Premiership game at Charlton on August 27th.
But the 34-year-old must now decide whether he wants to undergo cruciate ligament surgery after his knee gave way in training yesterday.
"I feel so badly upset and sad after being so happy on Monday and Tuesday mornings," he told the Evening Standard.
"On Monday I was jumping backwards and forwards and running freely. Then yesterday I was sitting down, with ice on the knee, and as soon as I stretched, a piece of muscle went out of position which sets me back quite a bit.
"It appears that during the last few months I may have done cruciate ligament damage but the knee has been strong enough to support me."
PA