Kashima Antlers on Thursday announced that Shoma Doi has been ruled out for three months after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his left foot, and will miss the remainder of the season.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury in Antlers’ 2-0 victory at Vissel Kobe in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League last Saturday, and had to be substituted in the 48th minute.

Doi has played a key role under both Toninho Cerezo and Masatada Ishii this season, scoring six goals in 27 league appearances – just two shy of his tally in 2014.

The attacking midfielder’s standout performance arguably came as a substitute against Vegalta Sendai in August, when he single-handedly fired his team to a 3-2 win by netting a brace.

His injury will come as a major blow to Antlers’ hopes of winning the second stage this term, given he has featured in all but two games under Ishii since the latter took over the club.