Bolton defender Gary Cahill could be out for the rest of the season after suffering a blood clot in his arm.

GettyImagesCahill could yet play again this term

Cahill has been a key player for Bolton and boss Owen Coyle revealed last week that one of the conditions of his switch from Burnley was that the player would not be sold in January.

Cahill was a late withdrawal from the side that drew 0-0 with Fulham on Saturday and, while initial reports had suggested a shoulder problem, Coyle has now revealed he will be out for an extended spell with a blood clot.

"Gary suffered a pain in his arm and it became severely swollen on the day of the game," he said. "There was no way he could play so we took him straight off to hospital. It turns out he had a blood clot in his arm, so he is going to be out for a number of months.

"It is a severe blow for the boy but our main concern is his welfare. We have to make sure Gary is fit and well. He will miss the next few months. It might be for the rest of the season - we will hear from the specialist later.

"The clot needed to be resolved and in doing that you need the medication. It follows you can't play. As disappointed as we are, at 24, Gary has a marvellous career ahead of him."

Fabio Capello has previously called Cahill up to train with England and, while he has not made an appearance for his country's senior side to date, he was considered a potential candidate to be included in the squad for South Africa.

Coyle said: " I believe he would have made the World Cup for the summer but we have to make sure first of all he recovers from this blood clot."