Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little suffered a perforated eardrum and is dealing with vertigo after taking a slap shot to the head in Tuesday's game versus the New Jersey Devils, head coach Paul Maurice announced.

Little is expected to make a full recovery, but a timeline is unknown to this point, Maurice added.

The injury occurred in the third period after an errant slap shot from teammate Nikolaj Ehlers struck Little as he was skating behind the net. He was taken to hospital and had the laceration closed with 25-to-30 stitches.

Little previously missed the first nine games of the season with a concussion.

The 31-year-old has been in the Jets/Thrashers organization for his entire 13-year career and had notched five points in seven games this season before the injury.