Tom Trybull is the latest Norwich City player facing a spell out injured, with the Canaries announcing that the midfielder has sustained ankle ligament damage as part of an updated injury bulletin released this morning.
Fears that Trybull was another injury victim emerged yesterday after the 26-year-old posted an image on Instagram showing him wearing a protective boot, which was quickly spotted by City supporters but then swiftly deleted.
The combative German midfielder played a key role in the second half of last season as Daniel Farke's team romped to the Championship title and has started every game of the Premier League season so far.
He completed the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at West Ham but is now facing up to six weeks on the sidelines, adding to the injury issues which have inhibited City's start to the top-flight season.
Farke said: "Of course it is a blow for us and the players, but these are some of the challenges we have to face right now."
Cuban winger Onel Hernandez featured in the opening-night defeat at Liverpool but then slipped on the stairs at home and suffered a knee injury which required surgery, ruling him out for the first half of the season.
Christoph Zimmermann missed all of pre-season due to similar minor knee surgery, as did defensive midfielder Alex Tettey with a calf injury, while creative midfielder Mario Vrancic missed most of the friendly action with his own calf problem.
Timm Klose's pre-season had been disrupted by a hip issue but the Switzerland international and Zimmermann both made their comebacks during the League Cup second round tie at Crawley Town last week.
A heavy impact in a challenge forced Klose off after 30 minutes and head coach Farke had already revealed that a layoff of around four months was likely, ahead of the 31-year-old having further assessments to see whether he would be able to return this season.
Klose confirmed on his Instagram on Tuesday that he would have to "take a break for a few months from doing the thing I love the most" and while the Canaries are yet to commit to a definite length of time, they have revealed a lengthy spell is expected after significant damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in Klose's right knee - with further consultations with a specialist ongoing.
Farke added, speaking to City's official website: "It's a tough time for Timm and our thoughts are with him. The nature of the injury means it isn't a straightforward process, but he's in the care of the best possible people.
"We know the type of person Timm is. He'll work at his very best to come back from this setback and he will of course have our full support during this time."
That leaves City fans hoping for better news on Zimmermann, who was forced off during the first half at West Ham on Saturday after being caught late in the tackle by Hammers striker Sebastien Haller, which somehow went unpunished despite leaving the German on crutches.
Norwich have confirmed that the 26-year-old, who wore the captain's armband for much of last season's success, did suffer foot ligament damage in that challenge but are not yet able to provide a timeframe on the defender's recovery.
With fellow centre-back Grant Hanley also missing the West Ham game due to a groin injury picked up in training last week - forcing him to pull out of the Scotland squad - Farke's defensive options have been left depleted.
Summer signing Ibrahim Amadou, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, had to partner Ben Godfrey at the London Stadium after Zimmermann went off and may well have to continue in that role in the short term.
MORE: Injured City defender annoyed that West Ham striker's tackle went unpunished
City at least have the current two-week international break to make plans but face the daunting prospect of hosting reigning Premier League champions Manchester City next, a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday, September 14 - who have scored 14 goals in their opening four games of the campaign.
It's not yet clear whether Hanley will be able to return by then but it is believed that Tettey is closing on fitness and could provide some valuable experience in a difficult scenario, with trips to Burnley and Crystal Palace, as well as a home clash with Aston Villa, to follow before the next international break.
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