Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell has revealed he is likely to be out of action until the new year.
The 21-year-old, signed in a £12million deal from Everton in August, has endured a frustrating start to his City career due to injuries.
The England international has made just six appearances for the club and not featured since suffering a hamstring injury in October.
Rodwell had returned to training recently but is likely to be kept out a little longer.
Rodwell told the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk: "I've just had a little bit of a setback with my hamstring injury. It will probably be another few weeks, so I'm looking into the new year.
Rodwell cost City £12m
"I'm doing quite a lot of training at the minute though, so I'm keeping busy.
"It's down to strengthening now, so I'm doing a lot of work in the gym and am just getting it right to prevent another injury.
"It's been a frustrating start to the season and to my City career, bit I'm focused now and I'm ready to get back."
City could also be without Samir Nasri for their Christmas fixtures, with reports suggesting the Frenchman could be sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury.
Nasri was forced off in the first half of the champions' Barclays Premier League win at Newcastle last weekend.