The Republic of Ireland have suffered a signifcant injury blow ahead of March's World Cup play-offs after Burnley confirmed that midfielder Josh Cullen sustained a serious knee injury.
Cullen, who is club captain at the Premier League side, suffered the setback in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Everton at Turf Moor.
Burnley said that he will face a "prolonged" spell on the sidelines, with the prognosis ruling him out of the World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia on 26 March in Prague.
The 29-year-old's lengthy lay-off represents a huge blow to Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's plans, with Cullen having been a stalwart under the Icelandic coach and predecessor Stephen Kenny, amassing 47 senior caps to date.
He started five of Ireland's six World Cup qualifiers this year, only missing the Armenia game in Dublin through suspension.
"Josh Cullen sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Saturday's Premier League fixture against Everton," Burnley said in a statement on Tuesday night.
"The Clarets skipper injured his right knee early in the second half of the goalless draw at Turf Moor.
"Scans on Monday confirmed Cullen sustained an ACL injury and he will undergo surgery.
"The Republic of Ireland international is now set for a prolonged period on the sidelines.
"Everyone at Burnley Football Club wishes Josh all the best for a successful and speedy recovery."
Cullen expressed his disappointment in a social media post.
"It goes without saying that I'm devastated to have injured my ACL against Everton on Saturday," he wrote.
"The road to recovery has started and I’ll be doing everything I can to be back as soon as possible for club and country."
Burnley manager Scott Parker said Cullen being ruled out for around nine months leaves his side with a huge void to fill.
"It's something we certainly need to look at," he said after Tuesday's 3-1 home defeat to Newcastle.
"Josh is a huge loss for us. On the pitch he's probably been one of our best performers, so to lose him on the pitch as well as off us and what he gives us is a big loss.
"I thought the boys that came in - (Florentino) Luis and Lesley Ugochukwu were very good but we'll look at it now over the coming weeks with the window opening and see where we may need to strengthen."
Additional reporting: PA
