Shimizu S-Pulse confirmed on Tuesday that Tomoya Inukai will be sidelined for about three weeks due to a ligament injury in his right knee.

News of the central defender’s period on the sidelines, after he was diagnosed at the Shizuoka Metropolitan Hospital, will come as a blow.

Inukai has started in all five J1 League matches this season, after returning to S-Pulse following his key role in Matsumoto Yamaga’s promotion to the top-flight.

Coach Katsumi Oenoki had been hoping to count on the youngster’s contributions, with the side currently seeking to overturn a stretch of seven matches without a win.