Broken leg for Wolves' Sylvan Ebanks-Blake

Video journalist Nicky Butler went out onto the streets of Wolverhampton to as Wolves fans reacted to the news. Find her on Twitter @nickybvideo.

Scans yesterday showed the club's 15-goal top scorer cracked a bone in his lower left leg following the innocuous-looking clash with Birmingham defender Paul Robinson in Monday's 3-2 win at St Andrew's.

The 27-year-old striker, who scored twice in Wolves' latest victory, now faces an operation imminently and won't return to action until next season.

Manager Dean Saunders initially thought he had suffered ankle ligament damage, and he was able to limp away from the ground on crutches.

But tests confirmed the damage was much worse than first feared. Wolves are now concentrating on their chief marksman's immediate health but with one eye on the future.

Boss Saunders said today: "In the space of 16 days and three games we have lost three players with broken bones.

"Against Bristol City, we had Carl Ikeme with a broken hand and David Edwards with a foot fracture, and now Sylvan.

"They are freak injuries and they are ones that we could well do without. It was a bitter blow for Sylvan on Monday and for the club too.

"But it gives someone else a chance."

Ebanks-Blake said today: "Obviously I'm bitterly disappointed to be missing the last five games, but I will be right behind the lads."

The former double Championship Golden Boot winner is out of contract this summer and may have kicked his last ball for the club.

Saunders had recommended the former Manchester United reserve for an extension to his deal, and he is free to negotiate a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Tentative talks had begun on extending his five-year stay after 61 goals in 177 League games for Wolves.

But it's understood they have been put on hold until the club's immediate future has been resolved.

Wolves rejected a £1million-plus bid for him from Crystal Palace in January, while there was also interest from Hull City.

The grim news on Ebanks-Blake tempers Wolves' recent revival after four wins in their last five games.

In that time, the former Plymouth man has shown his value by grabbing four of his goals, while he has missed just one league game this season.

But he becomes the fifth player to be ruled out for the rest of the campaign in the last three weeks after goalkeeper Ikeme, Edwards, Bakary Sako and Razak Boukari.

Saunders must look within his squad for a striking solution, as he can't recall 23-goal Leigh Griffiths from his loan at Hibernian.

On-loan Wigan forward Nouha Dicko, who came on for Ebanks-Blake at St. Andrew's, could now win an extended chance.