English Premier League club West Ham have confirmed that midfielder Kieron Dyer fractured both major bones in his lower leg in the League Cup match at Bristol Rovers.
The England midfielder was hurt during a challenge by Rovers defender Joe Jacobson early during Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Memorial Stadium.
The East London club have said that it was unclear when the 28-year-old, who only joined from Newcastle two weeks ago, would be able to return to action.
The club added that more detail would be available once Dyer had undergone his first round of surgery on the fibia and tibia of his right leg.
"It is too early to say at this stage how long the player will be out for as this will become clearer once the first stage of surgery is completed," the club said.
Dyer, who made his 33rd appearance for England as a substitute in a friendly against Germany last week, joined West Ham from Newcastle United for $12.04 million earlier this month.
Injury hit Hammers
His latest injury setback continues a run of wretched luck of West Ham’s new signings since Alan Curbishley took over.
Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Faubert and Scott Parker have all been sidelined at some stage with Curbishley remarking, "I am sitting here with 20 million pounds ($40 million) worth of injured players.
"We are devastated for Kieron, the game was immaterial after the injury. I think the Bristol Rovers player has got to be very disappointed with his tackle. He lashed out after losing the ball, caught Kieron in a difficult position and that's what you get."
However Rovers boss Paul Trollope said the injury was a complete accident.
"The story is coming out it was a malicious tackle and that he's gone to do him. That is wide of the mark. Joe is not that kind of player and we are not that kind of club. Joe just swung his leg and it’s a very unfortunate incident."