Manchester United star Diogo Dalot has suffered an untimely injury blow during the international break.
The Portugal national team announced that Dalot has withdrawn from the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Hungary after experiencing muscle discomfort.
He has been replaced by former Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares.
This update will be a major concern for United head coach Ruben Amorim as Dalot has been a consistent member of his starting XI.
The 26-year-old is also a part of the six-man leadership group alongside Bruno Fernandes, Tom Heaton, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
He is the second United player to withdraw from international duty following Matheus Cunha.
Cunha picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-2 win over Burnley, collapsing to the turf in the first half and immediately signalling for medical attention.
The club are yet to disclose the full extent of his problem, though reports suggest the setback is not as severe as first feared.
Mason Mount also joined the injury list, coming off at half-time in the same game with fitness concerns.
Amorim now faces a nervous wait over the fitness of three key players, all of whom would be expected to start in next weekend’s derby against Manchester City if available.
Dalot has started three of the four games this season, and earned an assist for Bryan Mbeumo’s strike against the Clarets.
Despite starting in the left wing-back role, Dalot made surging runs forward and found Mbeumo with a perfect cut-back cross.
Patrick Dorgu will be his natural replacement, if he fails to complete his recovery in time for the City clash.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com