Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has admitted that he expects Nicky Maynard to miss the majority of this season through injury.
New signing Maynard tore his cruciate knee ligaments in the 2-0 midweek win over Millwall.
Mackay concedes that losing Maynard is a massive blow and he has not set a date for the striker to return.
The Cardiff boss said: "Cruciates are normally seven to nine months, but it's not specific. It will take as long as it takes.
"But we could face the prospect of not having Nicky for the rest of the season. It's desperately disappointing for him to have a long-term injury as he's only just joined the club.
"He'd settled in well and caused problems in all the games he played for us. But he will have a lot of support from the club. We'll give him the best care and attention."
Cardiff begin life without Maynard with an away match against Crystal Palace this weekend.
