Leicester have suffered a major injury setback with Australian centre Matt Toomua facing six months on the sidelines.
The Tigers tweeted that Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill had confirmed 26-year-old Toomua faces knee surgery.
"Richard Cockerill confirms Matt Toomua having surgery on his knee and will be out for around six months. We wish him a speedy recovery," Leicester's tweet read.
The 33 times-capped Australia international was hurt during the first-half of last Sunday's European Champions Cup pool game against Racing 92 at Welford Road.
Toomua, who linked up with Leicester earlier this season following his move from ACT Brumbies, has made just two appearances for the Tigers.
The Racing game was his home debut, but Leicester are now look unlikely to see him in competitive action again until the closing weeks of this season.
Toomua featured for Australia during last year's World Cup, making six tournament appearances, including in the final against New Zealand at Twickenham.
Leicester are currently also without England centre Manu Tuilagi, who has not played since the season's opening round of Aviva Premiership fixtures in early September due to injury.
The Tigers' 27-17 victory over Racing put them back into Champions Cup contention following a 42-13 loss against Glasgow nine days earlier.
Source: PA
