A devastated Beltrame was told with the news this morning that his quad muscle had torn off of the bone, the prognosis seen as the worse possible scenario.

Beltrame has a gap of 2-3 centimetres between the muscle and the bone in his upper quad meaning he will be unavailable for eight weeks if the recovery goes to plan.

“I’m gutted. It’s really upsetting, especially with the team going really well. It’s just extremely disappointing,” Beltrame said.

“There is not much you can do, you just have to get over it. I am just really determined now to get even fitter and come back even better.”

With the severity of the injury, surgery was considered an option but after looking at a number of factors, the decision was made that Beltrame will play the waiting game and let the healing process take its course.

“There was an option of surgery but it is in an awkward position and it would prolong the recovery so we are just going to let it heal. I am probably looking at eight weeks, if I can get back in six that would be a bonus,” Beltrame said.

Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar expressed his disappointment for Beltrame, The Reds boss now looking at the options of bringing in another keeper.

“It is a real shame that Daniel is out. Now we have to assess and accelerate our options in the next few days,” Vidmar said.

“We will be summing up all of the options and ticking off all of the possibilities in making a decision on who we bring in.”

Beltrame’s injury occurred when he attempted a simple drop kick in the second half against the Wellington Phoenix.

Despite trying to play on, in the 78th minute Beltrame lay in pain next to the goal line after he had attempted to save Phoenix midfielder Daniel’s far post header.

“I went to do a drop kick and felt something pop then release. I thought I might be alright until I went to dive a couple of minutes later and it gave way,” Beltrame said.

The setback continues Adelaide United’s unlucky run of soft tissue injuries and is a blow going into the second half of the Hyundai A-League season.

Beltrame has been solid for United since his return to between the posts, his five appearances this season including two clean sheets and United conceding just three goals from the past five games.