Chiedozie Ogbene is expected to miss up to six games for Rotherham United.
But the Corkman should overcome his hamstring injury in time to be considered for Ireland duty next month.
Ogbene has been sidelined with a hamstring issue since last Thursday and travelled to London to see a specialist and have scans.
And the Millers are now resigned to losing the attacker for between four and six games after the full extent of the injury was revealed.
Ogbene had to sit out Tuesday’s 1-0 win away to Stoke City and is set to miss upcoming games against Hull, Coventry, Cardiff, Burnley, Norwich and Sheffield United.
New Rotherham boss Matt Taylor said: “He’s going to be out for two or three weeks, taking in our next four to six games.
“It doesn’t sound like a long time but there’s a lot of games. Considering he got injured last Thursday, it wasn’t the news I’d expected or hoped for.
“I’d actually thought he’d have a chance for the weekend but he’ll miss the next few games.”
This season, Ogebene was converted into a makeshift striker by former Millers boss Paul Warne before he left for Derby County.
And the 25-year-old responded in kind with five goals in his opening 10 games of the campaign, but didn’t hit the mark in the next four.
Ogbene is eager to overcome the injury in time for Ireland’s upcoming friendlies against Norway and Malta.
The Boys in Green host Erling Haaland’s Norway at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, November 17 before travelling to face minnows Malta on Sunday, November 20.
Manager Stephen Kenny will use those games to prepare for the daunting Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that gets underway at home to France on March 27.
Kenny is due to name his squad for the double-header on November 10.
And if Ogbene does miss Rotherham’s next six games, he would only have one club game - against Luton Town - before the Norway clash.
That would leave him with it all to do to prove his fitness, but both Rotherham and Ireland boss Kenny are hoping that the six-game prognosis is a worst case scenario.
Meanwhile, Irish international Greg Cunningham has been likened to Italian legend Franco Baresi.
Cunningham, the left-sided defender, scored the winner in Preston North End’s win away to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
And Preston boss Ryan Lowe said: “Greg was immense. I spoke to him on Monday and asked him whether he’d ever played the middle of the three.
"I thought Greg could get us ticking, get us playing, and he was fantastic. I said to him ‘You’re going to play there, you’re like Franco Baresi.’
“He was solid and he got his goal. Greg has been top drawer since we’ve come through the door.”
READ NEXT:
- Ireland beat Scotland to reignite their T20 World Cup campaign
Grief lightened the load of expectation for Ballyhale's Joey Holden
Plug is pulled on prospect of November friendly involving a League of Ireland XI
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
