BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed promising midfielder Will Smallbone would be out for around six months after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international was forced off during the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester with the problem – replaced by Dan N’Lundulu.

Asked for any further injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup contest with Shrewsbury (8pm), Hasenhuttl said: “We have another big injury with Will Smallbone.

“It’s the worst for him and for us, an ACL injury, so half a year out, maybe.

“It’s horrible for the young lad and for us.

“In the moment with injuries it is definitely not our best run, but there are some circumstances in this strange season that leads to a lot of problems with a topic that we didn’t have for the whole of last season.”

Smallbone has previously been sidelined with a quad injury earlier this season.

The academy graduate signed a fresh four-year contract with the club in June.