ATK Mohun Bagan are set to miss Joni Kauko when they take on Hyderabad FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.

The Calcutta giants confirmed that their star midfielder had suffered a serious knee injury in their previous game against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao on Sunday.

He was brought off the field in the 59th minute. ATK Bagan lost the match 0-3. The official statement from the club said: “Joni Kauko is set for a lengthy spell out of action after sustaining a knee injury.”

The Finnish international has been instrumental for coach Juan Ferrando’s men, having started in every match of the season. He has repaid the coach’s trust with brilliant individual performances, bagging two goals in the process, with a crucial and decisive equaliser in their match against Mumbai City FC.

ATK Bagan are now sixth on the table and Kauko’s injury at this crucial juncture might prove to be fatal to Ferrando’s plans.