Anderlecht defender Marcin Wasilewski is facing at least 12 months on the sidelines after he suffered a horrific leg injury against Standard Liege yesterday.

An incident in the 24th minute of the 1-1 Jupiler League draw saw the 29-year-old's lower leg broken after a challenge by Standard's Axel Witsel, who was subsequently sent off. The Belgian club confirmed Wasilewski underwent temporary surgery last night on "multiple open fractures of the calf and tibia" and faces a further operation later this week.

"The medical team cleaned the open wound as well as possible," said Louis Kinnen, head of Anderlecht's medical staff. "That is, because of the nature of the injury, there is a high risk of infection. Therefore, Marcin will be given antibiotics during the next few days. The purpose of that treatment is to make sure that he can be operated on definitively in the course of this week."

It was an evening to forget for Anderlecht, who were also hit with the news Jan Polak is facing at least six months out. Tests confirmed the Czech international midfielder tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the same match.