England international Tom Croft has been ruled out for the entire season due to a knee injury.
The Leicester flanker has undergone surgery after suffering the injury during Tigers’ Aviva Premiership victory over Worcester three days ago.
Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill told reporters 27-year-old Croft, who has won 38 England caps and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions, will not play again this term.
Bang to his knee
Croft took a bang to his knee during the closing minutes of Sunday's game.
Cockerill said further investigation revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and Croft subsequently underwent reconstuctive surgery on Tuesday.
“It’s horrendous bad luck for Tom because it is only last year that he came back from a very bad neck injury and did so well not just for England, but the Lions as well,” Cockerill added.
“But these things happen. Tom will make a full recovery, but it’s his season over.
“It is a blow, but we have just got to get on with things.”
Cockerill has also confirmed England outhalf Toby Flood will miss Saturday’s game against Bath as he battles back from concussion
Croft suffered a career-threatening neck injury in April last year, but he returned to action eight months later and forced himself back into England contention, starting the final game of last season's Six Nations Championship against Wales.
Lions tour
His form was then sufficient to warrant a place on the winning Lions tour to Australia, where he started the first Test in Brisbane and went on as a replacement during the second Test.
Croft’s long absence will be a huge blow to England head coach Stuart Lancaster, who would have viewed him as an integral part of his plans, both for the November internationals and the Six Nations.
In addition to his neck problem, Croft has twice previously fought back from knee injuries during a career of extreme highs and lows.