Fiorentina midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski faces a break of three to four weeks after picking up an injury while on international duty with Poland.
Blaszczykowski, who is loan from Borussia Dortmund, is already back in Florence receiving treatment for a muscular injury he picked up just 12 minutes into his side's 4-2 friendly win over Iceland on Friday evening.
Further tests are to be carried out by the Serie A club's medical team, but the 29-year-old is already convinced he will be a mere spectator for the next month.
"Unfortunately I've come back with an injury," he wrote on his Facebook page. "My muscle is torn. It's a stupid thing, but I personally was afraid it might have been even worse. I will be back ready to play again in 3-4 weeks."
His absence will be a blow to the current Serie A leaders, who have a packed fixture list during that time.
They start with a Tuscan derby at home to Empoli on Sunday before travelling to Sassuolo, hosting Udinese and then facing Juventus at the Juventus Stadium, by which time Blaszczykowski could be back in contention for a return.
Furthermore, their Europa League future will be determined with a trip to Basel and home game against Belenenses.
Even without him, the Viola are serious candidates for the Serie A title this season, according to their former coach Cesare Prandelli.
He told La Gazzetta dello Sport that this could be Fiorentina's year, if they can develop enough consistency to stay ahead of Napoli -- Prandelli's other tip for the Scudetto this season.
"They already had [the potential] under Vinzenzo Montella, let's not forget what he gave them," the former Italy coach said. "Paulo Sousa has added a high level of pressure in winning the ball back, timed to perfection.
"They put their opponents under pressure and prevent them from getting the ball forwards, forcing you instead to play the ball wide and then they hit you with multiple aggressive moves. The figures on the sides with the most intensity say that Napoli and Fiorentina are the best.
"Last year, Roma and Galatasaray were the two sides who covered the least ground in the Champions League with around 10km per match, and if the best are covering 11.5km it's like they have an extra man on the field.
"So the word Scudetto is not a swear word for this Fiorentina."