Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian defender Danilo suffered a horrific broken ankle during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Danilo was injured after just six minutes of the Premier League clash at the City Ground when he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge with Antoine Semenyo.
The 23-year-old received nine minutes of treatment, with club staff using blankets to shield him from the crowd.
Danilo, who joined from Palmeiras in 2023, eventually left the field on a stretcher with his left leg in a splint and was rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre, where a fracture was confirmed by staff.
“It was a horrible moment for everybody, he is at the hospital now, we have just got the report of the doctor, still some exams, but he has broken his ankle,” Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said.
“It is serious, we are going to miss him not only on the pitch, he is a wonderful boy. You know him, always smiling, always with this joy and wish him the best.
“I think he is leaving hospital just now and he is going to be assessed tomorrow and after tomorrow.
“It is serious but the good news is he is stable, he is speaking, he is aware so just needs time.
“I have no idea on the timeframe, I just wish it is short because he is a very important player for us.”
Forest looked like rallying to the three points in support of their stricken team-mate after going ahead in the 23rd minute through Chris Wood.
But Semenyo levelled from close range in the 86th minute to add to Forest’s pain on the opening weekend of the season.