Scotland and Cardiff star Callum Paterson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments on international duty.
Paterson injured his knee in Scotland's 2-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win in San Marino on Sunday and is not expected to be fit until pre-season.
"He's having an operation and should be out until pre-season," said Cardiff manager Neil Warnock, who denied reports that he had prevented Paterson from playing in Scotland's opening Euro 2020 qualifier on a plastic pitch in Kazakhstan.
"It's a big blow, it's no good saying it isn't.
"Contrary to what was said before the Scotland game I never spoke to him about not playing on a plastic pitch.
"But he's had such a bad knee over the last 12 months I think they spoke between themselves. The second game was a disaster for us, but it's one of those things."
Paterson is likely miss Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium in June.
