HULL City defender Jack Hobbs faces between two and three weeks out with an ankle ligament injury suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Watford on Tuesday.
Hobbs limped off late in the game and scans have since revealed he will now miss the visit of Middlesbrough on Saturday, as well as the trips to Ipswich and Wolves.
The best case scenario would see the 24-year-old return for the home game with Bristol City on April 19.
The loss of Hobbs is the latest injury concern to trouble manager Steve Bruce as the Championship promotion race nears its conclusion.
With Paul McShane recently ruled out for the season with his own ankle problem, the Tigers' central defensive options have be stripped to the bones.
Saturday's clash with Middlesbrough is likely to see Alex Bruce fall back into a three-man defence with James Chester and Abdoulaye Faye.
Although Bruce also has Ahmed Fathi available, any further injuries could force the City boss to abandon a 3-5-2 shape until Hobbs' return.
City are unable to bring in any new blood after the Football League's emergency loan window closed for the final time last Thursday.
