Oxford United manager Karl Robinson has refused to give a timescale on the injury to Anthony Forde sustained during Saturdays draw against Shrewsbury Town.
The club are hopeful that the Irishman will see a specialist after the former Rotherham midfielder broke four ribs and punctured a lung.
Although he should be discharged from the John Radcliffe Hospital this week, the U’s boss wouldn’t give a return date.
“Fordey was really struggling and that’s not nice for the other lads to see but we know he is in good hands and they will just keep an eye on him for a day or two before he goes home and starts his recovery”, Robinson told the clubs official website.
“We won’t set a time scale on that, it’s far too early for that, it’s just good news that everything has been diagnosed clearly and now we can seek specialist advice on how to help Fordey get back to full fitness.”
Forde was grateful to the medical staff who have handled his treatment from the moment he went down in the first half.
The 26-year-old said: “I want to thank the pitchside medical team for their help and then everyone, from the ambulance team to the doctors and staff at the JR have been amazing.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s still very painful but we know what it is and we know there is no long term damage to my lung so hopefully it’s just a case of the ribs healing now.”
Forde is one of nine first-team players currently sidelined as the U’s prepare to face MK Dons in League One, before welcoming Manchester City in the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
