It means the midfielder will not only miss around 12 Premier League games, but will be absent for Portsmouth’s first UEFA Cup tie next month.

He will also be sidelined for Croatia’s first three 2010 World Cup qualifiers, including the clash with England in Zagreb on September 10.

Kranjcar, 24, ruptured his ankle ligaments playing for Croatia in a friendly against Estonia last week. The news
will be a huge blow to FA Cup holders Pompey, who are bottom of the League following defeats by Chelsea and Manchester United.

But the injury could prove beneficial to England’s hopes of qualifying for the next World Cup finals.

Kranjcar was among the Croatia scorers at Wembley last November when they ended England’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008.

The countries were subsequently drawn in the same group for the World Cup qualifiers, with Croatia due to begin their campaign at home to Kazakhstan on September 6 before entertaining England four days later.

Kranjcar will also miss his country’s third Group 6 qualifier at home to Andorra on October 15.

With the transfer window due to close on Monday, Pompey manager Harry Redknapp will step up his efforts to make at least one more loan signing to help compensate for Kranjcar’s absence.

Redknapp is considering a move for Brazilian Thiago Motta, who has had a trial with Portsmouth and played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Sunderland at Fratton Park earlier this week.

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