Coach Warren Gatland says that centre Gavin Henson will miss the remainder of Wales' autumn international series with an Achilles injury.
The Osprey, 26, was forced to withdraw from the side that lost 20-15 to South Africa last weekend in Cardiff.
Henson went to see a specialist and the diagnosis has ruled him out of Tests with Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
"Unfortunately he's going to be ruled out of the rest of the autumn series," Gatland told BBC Radio Two.
"We're just hoping he gets fit and back and available to us, because on his day when he is fit and playing well he is able to compete with the best players in the world.
"He's a world-class player and when he's fit he does make a difference.
"The testament to Gavin Henson as a player is that any time he's started for Wales in a Six Nations game, Wales have won it and I think that's an indication of what sort of player he is."
606: DEBATEHenson has suffered badly with injuries during his career, the latest causing him to miss the start of this season following ankle surgery at the end of April.
A previous knee injury also wrecked his 2006/7 season, while Henson has also suffered with shoulder problems.
The fear now for Wales and his regional side the Ospreys is that Henson could again be facing another substantial chunk of time on the sidelines.
Wales team physiotherapist Mark Davies said: "Consultations with UK specialists yesterday (Tuesday) led us to conclude that an injection, followed by a specific rehabilitation protocol which will take place over the next few weeks, was the best way forward.
"Gavin has now had his injection and will be out of action for approximately one month.
"He has been given an injury-specific training programme to follow in that time, which should provide a resolution to his problem."
However, if Henson has to resort to surgery to cure the problem it would also jeopardise his chance of playing in the RBS Six Nations championship, and perhaps even the end-of-season Lions tour to South Africa.
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