Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could be back in action in ten days time after he suffered a horrific-looking injury during the club's FA Cup third-round clash against Birmingham City.
Magpies supporters feared the worst when the Serbian international was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask after a collision early in the game.
However, according to Serbia's sporting director Goran Bunjevcevic, the 22-year-old may return by the end of January.
Aleksandar Mitrovic ordered to rest for 10 days, but injury (cut knee) not as bad as first feared. #nufc
"Aleksandar will be good, but I admit that we were worried after the first information," Bunjevcevic said.
"We will be monitoring the situation with the desire to be successful as soon as he recovers and returns to the pitch."?
Following the game, which ended 1-1, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez did little to alleviate fears: "It was a cut, it doesn't matter where. The main thing was it wasn't good because we had to make the substitution."
"To lose Mitrovic meant something. We had the control and we were dominant then we started giving them the chance to pass the ball and lost control.
Mitrovic arriving back at St. Andrews on crutches @NUFC360 @NUFCThreatLevel @NUFC_Online pic.twitter.com/G8vTRsV8Gh
"When you have players who haven't played for a while the tempo and intensity was not easy. We had to make substitutions but the first one changed it for us."?
Mitrovic has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring five times as the Tyneside club aim to secure promotion back to the Premier League, currently sitting second in the Championship table and two points off leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
It's certainly encouraging and relieving news for Newcastle fans, who would have been feeling less than positive about Mitrovic's rehabilitation after seeing the image below.
Aleksandar Mitrovic's deep cut on his knee. [@BlicSport] pic.twitter.com/5oDHF5jHMq