Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi confirmed on Thursday afternoon that star midfielder Kadin Chung will miss an extended period of time with a broken collarbone.

Chung collided with Malcolm Shaw in the 87th minute of Vancouver’s 5-0 defeat to Atlético Ottawa last Saturday and could not continue in the match. Scans later in the week confirmed that Chung did indeed suffer a fracture.

The 24-year-old native of New Westminster, B.C., had been a key player for the expansion side so far this season, starting all six matches for the club and playing all but about 33 minutes. Chung, who has been a fullback throughout his career at prior clubs including Pacific FC and Toronto FC, had been deployed in midfield for Vancouver so far this year, impressing in the new position and being named to the Gatorade Team of the Week in Week 3.

Ghotbi did not specify exactly how long he expects Chung to be out, but it’s likely he misses several months at the very least.

In more positive Vancouver FC news, Ghotbi did reveal that Gabriel Bitar’s injury is not as serious as initially thought after he left the same match against Atlético Ottawa less than half an hour in. Bitar will not travel with the club for Friday night’s clash with Forge FC in Hamilton, but he’s likely to make his return to training in the following week.