Albion face a wait to discover when Solly March will be fit to play again.

It is unclear at this stage whether the England under-21s right winger will be back in action for the start of next season after knee damage.

March had an operation five days ago on the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in his right knee at Derby on December 12.

The surgery was a success but a time frame for his recovery is currently vague.

Boss Chris Hughton told The Argus: “We don’t know yet. We’re certainly looking at next season. The good news is the operation was a success, went very well, no complications.

“We know generally that it’s any time from six to nine months. I think probably the report we get over the next days will determine when it is.”

March has received messages of encouragement and support via social media from colleagues past and present, including ex-Albion pair Dean Cox and Adam Virgo along with England under-21s captain James Ward-Prowse from Southampton.

Aston Villa’s ex-Albion loan midfielder Gary Gardner, who like Cox and Virgo suffered the same injury, tweeted: “Stay strong mate, you’ll be back stronger then ever trust me. Get well soon.”

Uwe Huenemeier has been added to Albion’s lengthy injury list with suspected groin damage sustained during the German central defender’s first start for six weeks against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Seagulls still have Lewis Dunk, back from a ban to partner skipper Gordon Greer at Brentford on Boxing Day, and Connor Goldson who made his debut as Huenemeier’s replacement against Boro.

The long-term injury list is set to gradually clear in the New Year.

Hughton said: “The squad is big enough but we’ve had injuries. We have to remember with (Kazenga) LuaLua we had a player that was League player of the month in the first month of the season and we haven’t been able to use his services since.

“He’ll be back, Sam Baldock, similar, who was super for the first part. Gaetan Bong, who came in so strong, so we have got players returning.”