Wolves defender Jody Craddock will have to continue sitting on the sidelines until the start of 2011 after suffering a setback.
Craddock had been suffering with injuries to his hip and thigh, but was all set to make his return this week.
However, the no-nonsense stopper was sent for further scans on his double problem and the results do not look good.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy revealed the bad news on Tuesday night, with the former Republic of Ireland boss ruing the setback.
McCarthy said: "Jody is going to be out for quite a while. It could be six to eight weeks.
"It's still his hip and thigh that is the problem. It's been bothering him so he's had it scanned again and there's a tear in it.
"He's got to have some treatment on it but it's far worse than we thought. He won't be fit until after Christmas.
"It's a big blow for us and for him as well. He was playing really well before this setback."
Meanwhile, Michael Kightly will also be out for longer than first anticipated.
The winger is out with a knee problem and is heading back into the operating theatre for another bout of surgery.
McCarthy added: "The knee he's had done is great so he's having the other one done."
