The 2019 young hurler of the year Adrian Mullen is set to miss the remainder of the season having torn a knee cruciate ligament in Kilkenny's draw with Clare yesterday.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks star was stretched off in the 21st minute of the game in UPMC Nowlan Park.
The 20-year-old claimed his second All-Ireland senior club title with Shamrocks last month and yesterday was his first start with the Cats this season.
A late Alan Murphy pointed free ensured a share of the spoils between Kilkenny and Clare in the clash as the Banner remain unbeaten.
Kilkenny finish off the round-robin phase of the league away to Laois on Sunday with a win cementing their place in the knock-out stages.