Wolves have confirmed goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey will be out of action for around six months after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament.
The Wales international suffered the injury during last weekend's goalless draw with Sunderland, although he did not realise the severity of the damage initially and completed the game.
Hennessey will have surgery today and is expected to be out until October. Wolves' head of medical services, Steve Kemp, told www.wolves.co.uk: "Our worst fears have been realised."Hennessey, whose chances of making the Great Britain Olympic team are also now over, had made 58 consecutive Premier League appearances since reclaiming the number one spot from Marcus Hahnemann in November 2010.
Dorus De Vries is set to make his Barclays Premier League debut against Manchester City on Sunday and is likely to keep the number one shirt for the remaining games of the season.
Wolves have also recalled Carl Ikeme from his loan spell with already-relegated Championship side Doncaster to provide cover for the Dutchman.
It is yet more bad news for Wolves in a season that looks certain to end in relegation from the top flight, although it could mean Hennessey stays at the club over the summer.
Despite Wolves' struggles and leaky defence, the 25-year-old has enhanced his reputation this season and would almost certainly have been a target for Premier League clubs.
Talking about Hennessey's injury, boss Terry Connor said: "Wayne just felt his knee during the game. He went to catch a ball right at the end and didn't think too much of it.
"But he felt slightly worse on Sunday so the medical guys wanted him to have a scan."
