BEIJING - Former NBA defensive player of the year Metta World Peace will be out for three to five weeks and his Chinese club is looking for his replacement.

Sichuan guard Metta World Peace is seen is this file photo. [Photo/IC]

Former New York Knicks guard Ron Artest, who legally changed his name into World Peace in September 2011, had a recurrent knee injury which worsened on Sunday when Sichuan lost to Foshan 118-102 in the 16th round of China's top basketball league CBA.

Rumors had it that World Peace was about to be sacked after just playing 15 games for the CBA newcomer, club general manager Geng Jie said he was only out temporarily.

"World Peace suffered from a chronical injury. Team doctor told us about the injury so we start to look for a foreign player to replace him, not sack him," Geng said on Tuesday.

The club announced Monday that they are in search of a replacement for World Peace who signed with Sichuan in August on a one-year deal.

According to reports, Daniel Orton, the 2.08 meter tall center, was the one Sichuan is after.

In 2014--2015 season, Sichuan won 3 matches and lost 15. World Peace started 6 out of 15 matches, averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 steals.