Port Vale have confirmed that forward Louis Dodds has sustained a fractured toe.
Louis Dodds: Sustained a fractured toe
Dodds suffered the injury during the 1-0 home defeat to neighbours Crewe on Saturday.
An X-ray at the beginning of this week revealed the break but it is not yet clear how long the 28-year-old will be out of action.
Vale boss Rob Page told the club's official website: "It's disappointing news because Louis has been playing very well recently.
"We've been pleased with his form over the last couple of months but we are sure he will come back even stronger.
"In the meantime, we have a number of players champing at the bit to get into the starting line-up so we certainly won't be short of options."
Dodds, a former Leicester trainee, has started each of Vale's last seven fixtures, scoring once.