Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai has broken his jaw for the second time in five months.
The New Zealand international left the field early in the second half of Sunday's 42-22 win against Catalans clutching his jaw and scans have confirmed his worst fears.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane says Leuluai, 31, will see a specialist later this week to discover the extent of his latest injury setback.
The former London Broncos and New Zealand Warriors player still has plates in his jaw which were inserted after he suffered a double fracture playing for the Kiwis in their 18-18 draw with Scotland in the Four Nations Series at Workington in November.
He recovered from that injury in time to begin his second spell with Wigan in February but could now be facing a longer lay-off as surgeons ponder their next option.
It is a body blow for the reigning Super League champions, as they prepare to face Castleford in a table-topping clash on Saturday before facing Salford the following week without stand-off George Williams and loose forward Sean O'Loughlin, who will be on England duty.
Jake Shorrock would have been an obvious replacement for Leuluai but has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Sam Powell initially switched to half-back from hooker against the Catalans before O'Loughlin took over the role for the rest of the match.
Castleford could also be without their scrum-half Luke Gale, who went off with a head knock early in Sunday's 26-24 defeat at Hull and will need to pass the required test before getting the go-ahead to face Wigan at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle.
