Rangers youngster Ross McCrorie will be out for between four to six weeks after the Portsmouth loanee suffered a hamstring problem against Oxford United.
The Ibrox defender, on loan at Fratton Park, put in a man-of-the-match performance at right-back but his standout display was blighted by picking up the injury towards the end of the game.
And Pompey boss Kenny Jackett revealed the issue will keep him on the sidelines until December.
He said: "McCrorie will be out for four to six weeks – and so it will be, by the looks of it, December for him."
McCrorie's time at Portsmouth has been a mixed bag with the Scotland-21 star in and out of the first team.
But he started to show his potential in recent weeks and seemed like he was going to kick on for the rest of the season.
This comes as a blow for McCrorie who left Ibrox in the summer in the search for regular first team action.
Rangers have the option to recall the 21-year-old in January and it remains to be seen if the injury will have any impact on the club's decision.
Jackett said following the Oxford game he was delighted with McCrorie's performance and his progress in recent weeks.
He added: "He brought a lot to our game and is learning all the time. In terms of bookings, he has to be careful and learn from that – and he can and will keep improving.
‘He has found his feet now, there have been quite a number of changes in the summer and he is one of them. I am pleased with him.
‘We persevered with him and there is a player there, definitely."
