Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune has been ruled out for "a number of months" with a hamstring tear.
The province have confirmed that the wide-man who turns 23 on Wednesday requires surgery on the injury.
It's a further blow to Ulster, who last week confirmed that Ireland lock Iain Henderson would be out for up to ten weeks following hip surgery.
Dan McFarland's side are also without Will Addison for Sunday's Guinness PRO14 return against Connacht as he's rehabilitating from a back injury.
Flanker Sean Reidy has also been ruled out for between four and six weeks with a calf injury.
Enniskillen native Baloucoune will also miss the remainder of Ulster's Heineken Champions Cup campaign.
They're scheduled to play a quarter-final away to Toulouse on September 20.
The torn hamstring is just the latest injury blow for Baloucoune, who missed the first two months of the season and a further month in the middle before settling down with six tries in seven starts prior to the lockdown.
He was included as one of four 'development players' in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad ahead of the first Six Nations game against Scotland.
"It was a hamstring avulsion that happened in a jackal position in training", McFarland explained.
"It’s one of those injuries sustained in a mechanism that you can’t do anything about. It’s really upsetting for Robert.
"He’s got something special that a lot of people would love to have, and that’s his speed.
"He’s a very good learner and is excellent defensively. He’s a smart defender and has been very physical for us.
"He has been progressing well but these things happen and he’s a mentally tough guy and he’ll work through that. In the meantime, we’re blessed here with a number of back three players that are equally talented."
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