West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan expects Semi Ajayi to be out for 16 weeks following surgery on a hamstring injury which has sidelined the Nigeria international alongside fellow centre-backs Paddy McNair and Kyle Bartley.
McNair, who was also forced off by a hamstring problem during the Baggies’ 0-0 draw at home to Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday, is expected to be out for eight weeks, while vice-captain Bartley will miss between four and six weeks as a result of a knee procedure.
“We are talking about three specific centre-backs who have had injuries at the same time, all within a week,” said Corberan.
“It is what it is and it will be a challenge for us as a team and for individuals, too.”
Corberan has been working with summer signings Ousmane Diakite, Torbjorn Heggem and Gianluca Frabotta as potential cover for the injured trio.
Mason Holgate played for the first time since signing on a season-long loan from Everton on August 30 with an 11-minute substitute appearance against Cardiff.
“We will have times when the situation is more challenging with defenders and we need to find solutions,” Corberan said.
“We still have players like Heggem, who has played at left-back at an amazing level and can find his level too as a centre-back.
“He has played there before, which is one of the reasons why we brought him in. Holgate is another who is similar to Heggem and can manage these positions.
“There are players who can allow me to keep playing with a back four or find an alternative with a line of five.
“Within a line of five, you have players like Diakite, who hasn’t played as a centre-back in his career but, we think, can adapt to be in a line of three centre-backs.
“Frabotta is a pure left-back or wing-back but we are developing some of his skills as one of three centre-backs.”
Daryl Dike has had his return pushed back to next year after sustaining a muscle problem.
The forward has been out since February with an Achilles tendon injury.