Burnley midfielder Steven Defour is facing at least two months on the sidelines after scans revealed he needs surgery on a knee injury.
The 29-year-old Belgium international was ruled out of Wednesday night's Premier League trip to Newcastle and he will now undergo an operation to repair cartilage damage.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Steven Defour has been ruled out for at least two months with a knee injury, manager Sean Dyche has confirmed.
"Scans showed the Clarets' midfielder must undergo surgery to repair cartilage damage. Defour, 29, had been an ever-present for Burnley in the Premier League this season.
"But he now faces an enforced spell on the sidelines, with Ashley Westwood getting a first league start of the campaign at Newcastle United tonight.''
Defour joined the club in an £8 million switch from Anderlecht during the summer of 2016 and has made 49 appearances to date.