This is Leicestershire --Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has described Tom Croft's season-ending knee injury as "horrendous bad luck".
The 27-year-old flanker ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the final minute of Tigers' 32-15 Aviva Premiership win over Worcester on Sunday.
Croft, who spent 10 months out of the game after picking up a serious neck injury in April 2012, felt little pain after the game and believed it was no more than a knock.
But, after waking up the next morning feeling sore, scans revealed the true horror of the damage.
"He took a bang on his knee which looked fairly innocuous at the time but, after further investigation, he has ruptured his ACL," said Cockerill.
"He had surgery on Tuesday and his season is now finished.
"It's horrendous bad luck for him. He came back in the middle of last season after doing so well with his neck recovery and managed to get himself on the Lions tour. Now this happens.
"Tom will make a full recovery after having the operation.
"He thought it was just a bang at the time but these things happen in sport. That's the game and you just have to manage it.
"In the modern world we live in, he will be back.
"I have to forget about him now and it will be like making a new signing when we get him back next season."
Tigers are not short of possible options in the No.6 shirt with Croft out. Steve Mafi and new signing Jamie Gibson have played a lot at blind-side, while Ed Slater can also play in the back row.
Cockerill said there was money available, however, to dip into the transfer market if the club needed to sign an extra body.
"We could bring someone in if we find the right person but there are options for us," said Cockerill.
"It's just that you want as many options as possible but we will miss what Croft brings to the side.
"If we think it is the right thing to do to replace him, we will do, but it is not easy to go into the market to replace someone like him."
Croft will not be the only person missing when Tigers face the testing trip to Bath on Saturday.
British Lions' duo Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs will definitely be out after their shoulder injuries failed to clear up.
And Tigers will not risk fly-half Toby Flood after his concussion against Ulster.
"We could play Floody," said Cockerill. "After he has done all of his cognitive tests, he would probably be fit to play but we think the right thing to do is to give him another week instead of risk him.
"Manu and Ben won't be fit. They are still lacking the power they need in their shoulders to play, which is disappointing."
Tigers will also be without Mat Tait, Rob Hawkins, Graham Kitchener, Miles Banjamin and Matt Smith for the trip to the Rec where they will face former fly-half George Ford.
Bath won their opening fixture 21-0 at Newcastle. Reported by This is 15 hours ago.