Aston Villa defender Ritchie De Laet has revealed that he will play no further part this season after picking up a serious knee injury.
The 27-year-old, who only signed for the Villans from Leicester City last month, was forced off the field 67 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Brentford in midweek.
Boss Roberto Di Matteo, speaking to reporters ahead of his side's trip to Ipswich Town this weekend, claimed that further tests are required before a decision is made on whether surgery is needed.
"We will have to make more assessments with him, but it looks right now like he will need surgery," he said. "We need to see what damage he has on the knee. He will be out for a while."
De Laet has already predicted a long-term layoff, however, taking to Twitter on Friday afternoon to say: "Absolutely gutted that I'm gonna miss this season but I'm sure the boys will turn it around and get us up there."
Villa have yet to get going this season under new boss Di Matteo, with just the one win from their first seven Championship outings leaving them in 17th position.
