An incident in the 24th minute of the 1-1 Jupiler League draw saw the 29-year-old's lower leg snapped in half after a sickening foot-up challenge by Standard's Axel Witsel, who was subsequently sent off.

The Belgian club confirmed Wasilewski underwent temporary surgery last night on "multiple open fractures of the calf and tibia" and faces a further operation later this week.

"The medical team cleaned the open wound as well as possible," said Louis Kinnen, head of Anderlecht's medical staff.

"That is, because of the nature of the injury, there is a high risk of infection. Therefore, Marcin will be given antibiotics during the next few days.

"The purpose of that treatment is to make sure that he can be operated on definitively in the course of this week."

It was an evening to forget for Anderlecht, who were also hit with the news Jan Polak is facing at least six months out.

Tests confirmed the Czech international midfielder tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the same match.

Witsel was full of remorse for his reckless challenge and expects to be punished heavily for it.

"I'm very aware what I've done, but it was not intentional," said the midfielder. "I don't play football to break legs. I play football for the game. You must believe me, this was not intentional.

"I took the action because I wanted to protect myself. We both went for the ball and unfortunately I made contact with his leg."

He added: "I've repeatedly apologised to Wasilewski since, although not directly because by the time I to got the dressing room he had already been moved.

"But I'm not a bad person, this was an accident. We will have to see what the consequences are now, but I realise it will be a long suspension."