Now Glenn Roeder is hoping that the giant centre half does not need an operation that would set him back further.
At the moment, that worst case scenario is not on the agenda, and he explains:
"We are disappointed to lose Ian Pearce, who came back for a couple of days last week until the soreness came back on his knee cap.
"That is a real nuisance because I really had planned to use Ian this year as often as possible.
"He was very much in my thoughts and in my plans; but his knee is not giving him any chance.
"We don't feel he needs an operation at the moment; he might just need more rest than he has already had.
"He is off to see a specialist later in the week."
His continued injury problems are taking their toll psychologically, however, and Glenn reveals:
"He is so so desperate to play he is understandably getting very despondent himself.
"He actually enjoyed two days' training last week with no problems.
"On the third day it came back and we were all disappointed, but no one more so than him.
"He was quite down when I had a chat with him, he was really fed up.
"From my point of view that is pleasing, because he is showing how much he wants to be involved and how much he wants to play.
"I'm nearly as frustrated as he is because I wanted him to be out there."
His continued absence only serves to exacerbate Glenn's central defensive problems, and Glenn adds:
"Ian Pearce has, in the past, showed that when he is on form, he is a damn good central defender in the Premiership and quite easily worth his place in the team.
"If he is not fit there is very little anyone can do about it - he suffers and we suffer.
"But it does mean I have to pursue my interest in central defenders."
Not all the news is bad, however, and Glenn says:
"Hayden Foxe is playing in the reserves at Nottingham Forest tonight, as are Paul Kitson and Scott Minto who both played in a friendly at Walton and Hersham on Thursday evening.
"Fredi is coming along nicely and we are hoping to build him up all week, so he will be fit for the game against Derby on Saturday."
If the quartet do come through the rest of the week unscathed, it will naturally give Glenn - who has only used 14 players this season - a more senior feel to the bench.