Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has said that the absence of Sander Berge for 'between three and four months' is a 'huge blow'.
The Norwegian, signed by the Blades in January for £22million from Genk, hobbled off in the first half of their 3-2 loss to Manchester United last week and has since had surgery on a tendon in his leg.
The South Yorkshire side have yet to register a win in the Premier League this season and are currently on two points and 10 points adrift of safety.
Berge's teammate John Lundstram was a regular fixture in the team before being replaced by the 22-year-old in the starting XI, but he is suspended for the next three games after being sent off for a dangerous tackle on Joel Veltman in the 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex on Sunday.