Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his right ankle.
The Netherlands international, 30, was hurt in the first 15 minutes of Villa's Intertoto Cup victory over Odense.
"I am a bit squeamish and the pictures were not so good," said Villa manager Martin O'Neill after the 1-0 win.
"However, Wilfred has good strength of character and I hope he'll come through it. I am sure he will because if anyone can it is him."
Bouma's team-mates looked on in shock as the left-back underwent treatment before being replaced by Gareth Barry.
The Dutchman was taken to hospital where an X-ray showed his right ankle was dislocated rather than broken.
"It's a dislocation, which is still a bad injury, which you could see by the reaction of the players," added O'Neill.
"The hospital have put it in plaster and got it reset but obviously there can be loads of complications.
606: DEBATE"It's terrible news because he played every single game last season. He was fantastic, but he'll come through it."
Barry received a warm reception from the home fans when he came on to replace Bouma.
The England midfielder has openly stated he wants to join Liverpool and he was booed by the Villa support in a friendly on Wednesday.
O'Neill says he is still waiting for an improved offer from the Reds and remains hopeful the 27-year-old will stay put.
"Having not heard anything from Liverpool for some time it is clear we value him more than they do," said O'Neill.
"We obviously don't want him to go, so the price we are asking is a fair and realistic one for a player who is so good. In fact I think it is really cheap.
"My own view is that he should hang around for another year and see if we can make further progress as he would want.
"Gareth is still only 28 next year - if we don't get where he wants to go, everybody would wish him well."
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