Carl Jenkinson is scheduled to have surgery on his knee after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury when playing for West Ham against Manchester City.

The right-back has been on loan with the Hammers for the past two seasons and although he’s had a couple of minor injuries in this time, he’s not had to suffer through an injury as serious as this.

Cruciate ligament injuries are notoriously painful and lengthy to recover from. Fortunately, although Jenks’ is serious and he’s having to undergo surgery to put it right, according to the Daily Mail, early scans have shown the damage is only to the anterior ligament.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Carl Jenkinson of West Ham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Jenks is expected to miss out on at least six months, if the damage indicated by early scans is correct and there aren’t further issues uncovered by the surgery.

Although the defender is confirmed to be returning from loan at the end of this season, this might mean he’ll be coming home early.