Andrew Crofts has suffered a second serious knee injury in the space of nine months.

The Albion midfielder is expected to miss the rest of the season after partially tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and tearing his meniscus during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford.

Crofts had MRI scans and exploratory surgery in London yesterday. Successful reconstructive surgery has taken place and he is now recovering in hospital.

The Welsh international, 30, sat out the second half of last season after suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament in the same right knee.

He made an impressive return to fitness and started six of Albion’s last eight league games.

Crofts is under contract until the end of next season after signing an extension recently.