Crystal Palace have been dealt a big blow with Roy Hodgson confirming that Eberechi Eze has suffered a hamstring injury.
“He has got a hamstring problem – he has had a scan on it and obviously we will have to wait on a second scan, but it is a serious injury,” the Palace manager told the club's official website.
“The medical team have been working very, very hard to shave off any time on the prognosis of the injury, but it was a blow for us.
“[Michael Olise] is another one we have to wait on. Two of our most creative players, we are going to have to wait on for a period of time, and it could even be a considerable period of time.
“We are going to be dependent now, really, on the players who have come in to take their places in doing a good job, which to be fair they have been doing.
“I’m very satisfied with the way the team has been playing, so there is no point complaining about injuries. They do happen and you must never feel sorry for yourself.”
Eze has been ever-present for Palace this season, and scored in their 3-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in Matchweek 4.
The playmaker, who has completed 27 dribbles in the Premier League this season, more than any other player, made his second appearance for England last month in the 3-1 win over Scotland.
He is now set for a period on the sidelines starting with Saturday's home meeting with Nottingham Forest.
Eze joins a growing injury list for the Eagles, with Olise, Jefferson Lerma, Dean Henderson, Naouirou Ahamada, James Tomkins and Matheus Franca all currently sidelined.
Palace sit ninth in the table, with three wins from their opening seven matches.