Aston Villa have confirmed that Tyrone Mings is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury against Newcastle United on the opening day of the new Premier League season.
The 30-year-old fell awkwardly following a coming-together with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak on the half-hour mark at St James' Park, jarring his knee on his way to the ground.
It was immediately obvious that Mings was in serious pain, and his leg had to be strapped up before he was carried off the field in tears on a stretcher.
Villa have now confirmed that the "significant" injury will require surgery and, while they have not put a timeframe on his recovery, they have confirmed that the rehabilitation process will be "lengthy".
"Aston Villa can confirm that Tyrone Mings has sustained a significant knee injury," read a statement from the club.
"The England international was stretchered off from the field after damaging his knee during the first half of Villa's match at Newcastle United on Saturday.
"The defender has undergone scans and will unfortunately require surgery ahead of a lengthy rehabilitation process."
Mings previously spent 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury while at Bournemouth earlier in his career and could now miss the rest of the 2023-24 campaign.
The injury was part of a miserable opening day for Unai Emery's side as they were put to the sword in a 5-1 defeat to the Magpies.
Villa have already brought in Pau Torres as a defensive reinforcement this summer, but reports have linked them with a move for Manchester United's Harry Maguire following Mings's injury. body check tags ::
