Bolton defender Gary Cahill could miss the rest of the season because of a blood clot in his arm.
The 24-year-old, who had been tipped to make England's World Cup squad, was taken ill on Friday and sat out Saturday's 0-0 draw against Fulham.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed: "Gary suffered a pain in his arm and it became severely swollen.
"It turns out he had a blood clot in his arm, so he is going to be out for a number of months."
Cahill is due to be released from hospital on Monday after being kept in since Saturday.
Coyle said: "It is a severe blow for the boy but our main concern is his welfare. We have to make sure Gary is fit and well.
"He will miss the next few months, it might be for the rest of the season, we will hear from the specialist later.
"The clot needed to be resolved and in doing that you need the medication. It follows you can't play."
The former England Under-21 player has been in excellent form for Wanderers this season, and had been linked with a move away from the Reebok Stadium during the January transfer window.
Coyle had led calls for England boss Fabio Capello to take the former Aston Villa player to this summer's World Cup in South Africa.
However, his chances of making the squad have now been severely dented - even if he does manage a return for his club before the end of the Premier League season.
Coyle, at least, seemed in little doubt that his chances were scuppered: ""He had a chance of going to the World Cup - but that chance will come again."
The former Burnley boss, though, promised that Cahill will receive first-class treatment in his recovery bid: "Gary will get the best care available to him. As much as we love football, we will focus on making sure Gary recovers well."
Source : BBC Football
That's awful news to hear this, and it is shame that it will cost him a World Cup place, and he would have definitely picked up a first cap for England.
Dunno how Bolton going to cope without him............
