ATK Mohun Bagan have confirmed that their star midfielder, Joni Kauko, suffered a serious knee injury in their previous game in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao on Sunday.

The midfielder was brought off the field in the 59th minute as the Mariners 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 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 high-intensity match against Mumbai City FC.

The Kolkata-based side sit in the sixth spot on the table and Kauko's injury at this crucial juncture might prove to be fatal to Ferrando's plans.

ATK Mohun Bagan take on Hyderabad FC at Vivekananda Yuba Bharti Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday in matchweek 8 of the Hero ISL 2022-23.