Norwich City face an anxious wait to discover the extent of an ankle injury sustained by Marcelino Nunez whilst away with Chile. 

The midfielder was withdrawn in the 89th minute of their 3-1 defeat to Uruguay overnight with a suspected ankle injury. 

Nunez was pictured leaving the stadium on crutches unable to put any weight on his left ankle. 

Any spell on the sidelines would be a massive blow after David Wagner heaped praise on the 23-year-old and described him as 'deserving to start games'. 

Nunez' injury will be assessed by the medical staff in his native country and the early reports indications are that it looks serious.

Reports in Chile suggest Nunez will be subject to further tests on Saturday to determine a proper diagnosis - which could be communicated before his return to England. 

Nunez suffered the injury after landing awkwardly on his left ankle just minutes before the conclusion of the World Cup qualifying defeat against Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay. 

Chile boss Eduardo Berizzo was quizzed on the seriousness of Nunes' injury post-match but kept his answer vague as they await clarification. 

"We will see Marcelino's evolution, according to the exams they take him. It will be evaluated tomorrow by the medical staff," Berizzo told journalists in his post-match press conference. 

The fear is that Nunez is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines, which would serve as a major blow after City lost Josh Sargent for the rest of the year. 

Some reports in Chile are suggesting Nunez' injury are serious - potentially even an ankle fracture. 

"I spoke with Dr. Cheyre and he told me that Marcelino's is a serious sprain or even a fracture. His ankle was very swollen," said journalist Javiera Naranjo in a broadcast for TV station Chilevisión.

Nunez is yet to make a Championship start for Norwich this season but has impressed in training and Carabao Cup performances. 

Norwich stregthened their midfield reinforcements by adding the experienced Adam Forshaw to their ranks but require time to get the 31-year-old up to speed. 

Gabriel Sara and Kenny McLean have been Wagner's preferred midfield pairing with Liam Gibbs also an option.