England-born Zimbabwe international defender Brendan Galloway could be out of action at English League One side Plymouth Argyle for three months after suffering a hamstring tear.
The 26-year-old sustained the injury in training last Tuesday and scans revealed a grade three tear which will keep him out for between 10 and 12 weeks.
The fresh injury blow comes barely four months after Galloway returned from a dislocated knee, which saw the Zimbabwe international miss seven months and the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It was a really innocuous one,” said Argyle manager Steven Schumacher.
“He completed the session on Tuesday fine, and then went for a scan on Thursday expecting it to be a minimal strain, but it’s not.
“If you do that then you shouldn’t really be finishing the session, so l was surprised.”
“We all know about Brendan’s history, but I think it’s the first muscle injury that he’s had since he’s been with us.
“It’s a real blow because he’s a good player and the more fit players that we’ve got help us get through these hard games, so we’re going to miss him.”
Galloway was once on the books of English Premier League side Everton before a luckless run of injuries derailed his promising career.
He has however been working hard to rebuild his career at Plymouth Argyle.
After missing most of last season, the left-sided defender was gradually eased back into action during pre-season and at the start of the League One campaign.
Galloway has made a total of 13 starts and five substitute appearances this season, playing a key role in Argyle’s solid start to the season.
The Pilgrims, as Plymouth Argyle are popularly known, are second in the league and in a good position to earn promotion to the Championship.
At the weekend they drew 0-0 with Cambridge as their winless streak stretched to four.