Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Dann will miss six weeks of action after suffering a groin injury.
The former Birmingham City centre-back will be ruled out for the Premier League side's crucial festive fixtures, which include trips to Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester United.
The Merseyside-born defender scored in Rovers' match against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday but failed to snatch three points and succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park.
Blackburn sit 19th in the league table, just one point from the bottom.
