Robert Havlin looks set to miss the dawn of the new eagerly-anticipated Flat season, when it kicks off with the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster Racecourse at the end of March.
The 45-year-old - who enjoyed his best season to date last term with 127 winners in total, is still recovering from the injuries he sustained in a fall aboard the ill-fated Beeher at Kempton last month.
The experienced jockey broke his collarbone and fractured some ribs in the process, and is eyeing the first week of April for his return to the track.
After spending a few days in hospital in London, Havlin has since been making good progress at his Newmarket home, and spoke to the Racing Post on Monday.
(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "I've had some scans recently and the doctors were happy with them, but they did discover I've torn a cruciate ligament in my knee.
"My ribs are still a bit sore and it will take a few more weeks. I don't want to come back and ride a horse who pulls as that may set my ribs back.
"The doctors are pleased with my collarbone and I'd hope to be back in the first week in April."
Havlin spoke about the soon to be open Peter O'Sullevan House, which is being constructed in Suffolk courtesy of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
He said: "I've been having regular physio and went on the bike yesterday, which was a help.
"It will be great when they get Sir Peter O'Sullevan House opened at the British Racing School in Newmarket - [the third rehabilitation and fitness centre in Newmarket], where they will have all the kit required to get jockeys back on the track.
"I had thought about going to Oaksey House in Lambourn but it's far enough away."
At the time of his fall, Havlin was sat fourth in the all-weather jockey's championship with 36 winners, and due to his absence, he finds himself thirty behind the leader Adam Kirby with under a month to go.
However, closely associated with John Gosden's yard, he is firmly involved in getting many of the stars of the stable ready and prepared over the winter, whilst Frankie Dettori is off sunbathing.
John Gosden co-incidentally has confirmed his number one two-year-old of last season; Too Darn Hot, will follow Frankel's route towards the 2000 Guineas, with a trip to Newbury for the Greenham Stakes in a few weeks time.
Too Darn Hot - winner of the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes, and unbeaten in four starts, is currently the 11/10 favourite for the opening Classic of the season.