Glenn Roeder, commenting on club consultant Tom McAuliffe's report, after he assessed Ian's situation following his latest breakdown, says:
"We didn't get good news from the specialist, unfortunately.
"With the tendon injury that he has got on the front of his knee he is going to need another three months of rest.
"It was a blow, because it is like a player needing an operation and being out for three months."
Wednesday was a day of mixed blessings for Ian, as Glenn reveals:
"He got the bad news the same day he got the good news that his wife had given birth to a little girl.
"I know he is very disappointed about the injury situation, as we all are.
"But as with Steve Lomas and David James, the earliest we can expect to see them is December time."
Glenn is just praying that he does return to action once and for all this season, adding:
"When you are told someone will come back in three months of course you are hopeful he will come back at some point, but who knows?
"We can't be absolutely certain that what we have been told is right.
"The key thing is that next time he makes a comeback he stays back and he stays fit.
"I was expecting him to be in the team all year - he is a very good defender."