Lazio midfielder Lorik Cana will be sidelined for up to two months with a back injury.
A knock to the Albania captain compounded Lazio's 4-0 defeat to Siena at the weekend in Serie A, as the 28-year-old was replaced by Alvaro Gonzalez just after half-time.
Cana missed Tuesday's 3-2 Coppa Italia win over Hellas Verona, and will need to spend more than a month resting before starting training again with Edy Reja's men.
''Cana underwent tests that revealed a fracture of the apophysis transverse in his second and third lumbar vertebrae," a statement said.
"The player will have to rest for 40 days and the recovery time period is estimated at two months.''
Cana's injury is made all the worse due to the fact that midfield duo Stefano Mauri and Christian Brocchi are also out injured.
Lazio will look to get back to winning ways in Serie A on Sunday as they take on Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico.