|
It was hoped he would just need cartilage trimmed in his knee which would see him playing again this month, but the extent is much worse than that.
The fracture will sideline him for between 6 and 12 months, meaning he could miss the remainder of the season.
It's the second major injury Ashbee has suffered in just over three years at the club. He tore ankle ligaments to rule him out of the end of the 2002/03 season.
Peter Taylor heard the bad news hours before yesterday's transfer deadline but resisted a rushed move for a replacement. He already brought in John Welsh on loan for the season, and should have Keith Andrews back from an ankle injury in a couple of months.
Taylor described Ashbee's injury as "an absolute hammer blow."
Nick Barmby is expected to take over the captain's armband on the field, with Marc Joseph another contender when he returns from suspension.