Jonah Lomu's rugby World Cup hopes have been dented after the New Zealand winger broke his ankle playing for the Cardiff Blues last weekend.
It had initially been thought Lomu had damaged ankle ligaments in Saturday's win over Border Reivers, however a surgeon on Wednesday confirmed the injury was a break.
"Specialists advised today that Jonah will be out of action for about six weeks," Lomu's manager and wife Fiona said on the Blues' official website. "He hopes to begin light training again after that."
The 31-year-old is hoping to return to the All Blacks team for next year's World Cup in France.
Lomu joined Cardiff on a short-term contract in December after two years out of action following a kidney transplant.
He became the youngest player to represent the All Blacks in 1994 and rose to prominence at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa where he almost single-handedly destroyed England in the semi- finals.
His career has stalled since 1996, however, when he was diagnosed with the debilitating nephrotic syndrome.
Lomu will be unavailable for the remainder of the Cardiff Blues' season, but expects to be fit to play in New Zealand's provincial championship (NPC) with North Harbour.
"Obviously, Jonah is very disappointed. He has worked so hard to get his fitness and his game back during his time in Wales. This is a setback for him but injuries like this happen all the time in rugby,” Fiona Lomu said.
"Other than the ankle he's in excellent health and will be focused on getting right and preparing himself for the NPC season."
