BRIGHTON & Hove Albion midfielder Andrew Crofts is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a second serious knee injury in the space of 10 months.
The 30-year-old sustained a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligament and a tear to the meniscus in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Watford.
The Wales international had successful surgery on the injury on Wednesday and is now recovering in hospital.
"We are all devastated for Crofty," said Brighton manager Sami Hyypia.
Crofts, who has made eight appearances for the Seagulls this season, suffered a similar injury to the same knee in January.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says he will consider bringing Billy McKinlay back into his coaching staff and believes Watford "have to look at themselves" following their treatment of the 45-year-old.
McKinlay was named Watford's head coach on September 29 but was replaced after only eight days in charge by Slavisa Jokanovic.
During his brief Watford reign, McKinlay stepped down from his position as Northern Ireland head coach stating his attention had to be "fully on bringing success to Watford FC".
However, he is now once again without a club and - while O'Neill said there were no immediate plans to reinstate McKinlay – he admitted it's something that may happen down the line.
That's something that's really not for now," said O'Neill. "We've kept communication going over the week and that's something we can address down the line.
"I'm very disappointed for him and really I think Watford have to look at themselves."
