Ireland international Ciaran Clark has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
He will miss Ireland’s Euro 2020 playoff semi-final against Slovakia in Bratislava on March 26.
And he would be a major doubt for the finals in June if Ireland qualify by seeing off Bosnia or Northern Ireland in the playoff decider.
The Newcastle United defender suffered ankle ligament damage against Arsenal a fortnight ago and had been wearing a protective boot.
But Magpies boss Steve Bruce is now resigned to being without the in-form defender until next season.
After a lengthy absence due to a lack of form, Clark, 30, returned to the Ireland team for the November friendly win over New Zealand.
It was his first appearance under Mick McCarthy having last started in the 4-1 Nations League defeat to Wales under Martin O’Neill.
With Richard Keogh sidelined for the foreseeable future, Clark was keen to push Shane Duffy and John Egan for a centre-back starting role in Slovakia.
