Dimitri Payet is facing a lengthy absence from action for West Ham United, after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Everton.
The news was revealed earlier today on Twitter by David Sullivan's youngest son, Jack Sullivan, that the flamboyant French international would indeed be out for up to three months.
The injury itself is bad enough for West Ham, however, to add insult to injury (excuse the pun) following the rather reckless challenge from Everton's James McCarthy, Payet seemed able to carry on in the game. He even came back on for the second half, before admitting defeat and coming off.
Payet had been a bright spark in a West Ham side which has provided a lot of entertainment for Hammers fans, with five goals and three assists so far this season, and he was also entertaining for the Premier League as a whole.
Following on from his fine form from last season, only one player has made more key passes in Europe's top five leagues than the Frenchman. That, being Arsenal's Mesut Ozil.
Some of the showreels that could already be compiled of Payet's brilliant this season within 12 games is testament to what a joyous player he is to watch. Even after being scissor-tackled by McCarthy, when it was clear he was struggling, Payet still managed to take players on, and even perform two stupdendous 'no-look' passes.
Not the end of the world
When West Ham's key players have been injured for large periods in recent years, they have gone on to struggle tremendously.
Although, this could see young Argentine Manuel Lanzini moved into Payet's more central free-role, so, things are not nearly as bad as they would have been in years gone by. Something, which is testament to the business the club has done in strengthening the playing squads quality in depth.
Lanzini has gone under the radar somewhat due to the flambouyant nature of Payet's play. But Lanzini is capable of moments of individual brilliance as he himself showed against Everton at the weekend with his splendid goal. He also has a brilliant work ethic and is happy to help out defensively, which will be of an added bonus.
Going forward
It will be interesting to see how Bilic alters his XI now without Payet available until the new year. Especially as the club are sweating over the injury which led to Enner Valencia being stretchered off later in the same game.
Whilst they sweat over the results of next weeks scans on the Ecuadorian, could it mean that the as of yet untried Michail Antonio gets his time to shine in in a trio of Victor Moses, Lanzini, and himself on the other wing?
Bilic and the fans will be hoping though, that it is Valencia who will be on the other wing to Moses, rather than he also facing another lenghy spell out.