Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer will miss the remainder of the A-League Men season after scans revealed a torn ACL in his left knee.
The midfielder limped off the field at Moreton Daily Stadium on Saturday after a challenge on Brisbane midfielder Rahmat Akbari in Wellington's 2-1 loss to the Roar.
The 25-year-old was immediately substituted and didn't return to the bench for the second half, sparking fears of a serious injury.
Scans have since confirmed the worst news meaning Rufer is facing up to a year on the sidelines and will have to undergo a knee reconstruction.
It's a bitter blow for Rufer who has started all 14 of the Phoenix's matches this season and was a key part of their run to the FFA Cup semi-finals.
"We really feel for Alex as he has been playing some of his best football in recent weeks," Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay said.
"It's also a major setback for the team to lose their captain midway through the season."
The news also adds to Wellington's issues heading into the next few weeks of the season as they aim to stay in the hunt for a finals berth.
Talay is already without four players who have joined New Zealand's squad in Qatar for Oceania qualifiers while Tim Payne is set to join the quartet with the All Whites after Friday's match against Newcastle.
English forward David Ball is suspended for the trip to face the Jets after picking up the fifth yellow card of the season in the defeat to Brisbane.
With goalkeeper and vice-captain Oli Sail among the quartet away on international duty, Talay will need to select a new player to don the captain's armband for Friday's game.
