 Carter joined Perpignan in December
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New Zealand's star fly-half Dan Carter faces a six-month lay-off after suffering an Achilles tendon injury against Stade Francais on Saturday.
The 26-year-old is with Perpignan on a six-month sabbatical after arriving in a blaze of publicity in December.
"It is a partial tear of the Achilles tendon which means he will be unavailable for around six months," said a Perpignan spokesman.
"It's a huge disappointment especially for him and for the club."
Carter, who was reported to be on a lucrative salary in the south of France, has played just five games and 361 minutes for Perpignan and will almost certainly miss the rest of the French season.
He had been handed the sabbatical by the New Zealand authorities as they battle to prevent a player drain to Europe and was due back in New Zealand in June.
"Now we are going to do our best possible to get him healthy again," added the Perpignan spokesman.
"Our doctor will be in contact with the medical staff of the All Blacks to decide whether or not he will undergo surgery in France.
"At the monent he is in plaster and is at home. He underwent an examination on Sunday morning (in Paris) and returned with us by plane."
Carter - regarded as one of the best players in the world - kicked two penalties and converted Maxime Mermoz's try in front of 80,000 people at the Stade de France in Saturday's 13-13 draw but damaging his Achilles in the final minute of the match.
He was making his return to the Perpignan side after a three-week absence due to an earlier Achilles tendon injury.
Carter was part of the Crusaders team that won the 2008 Super 14 to make it seven titles in 13 years and has scored 731 points for the All Blacks, including 23 tries, from 47 caps.
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