Nottingham Forest have been dealt a major injury blow with the news that defender Max Lowe faces two months on the sidelines.
The Sheffield United loanee was substituted in the first half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Reading after suffering a groin problem.
The Reds had to wait for results of a scan to determine the severity of the issue, with boss Steve Cooper providing an update after his team's goalless stalemate at home to Luton Town.
"He's going to be out for two months. He's had a groin strain,” said the Forest head coach after the full-time whistle at the City Ground.
"We knew he had a muscle strain, but you just have your fingers crossed that it's one of the lower grades. I don't know exactly what grade it is, but he's going to be out for two months.
"It's a blow. But it happens, and we get on with it."
Lowe has been a key player for Forest since signing a season-long loan from the Blades in the summer, pinning down the left wing-back spot since Cooper took charge.
Full-back is an area where the Reds are very light on options, given Arsenal loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu is also sidelined with injury.
Jack Colback filled in for Lowe against the Hatters, with Cooper preferring the midfielder for that position over orthodox left-back Gaetan Bong.
Colback, though, was sent off for two bookable offences, leaving Bong to come on from off the bench in the second half.
