Kevin Spacey needed a walking stick at the Emmy Awards after suffering a leg injury playing tennis.

The 'House of Cards' star walked the red carpet at the ceremony at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre yesterday (25.08.14) with the help of a black cane after he strained his hamstring playing the sport on Saturday (23.08.14).

Speaking to 'Entertainment Tonight', he said: ''The cane wasn't actually planned.

''Two days ago on the tennis court, I strained my hamstring in racing for a drop shot - which I got, by the way! It was the winning point, so at least there's that.''

Kevin was also supported by TV journalist Ashleigh Banfield who held onto the other arm of his smart black Ralph Lauren suit, while she wowed in a fetching floor-length purple dress.

The actor was up for the Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series accolade, alongside Matthew McConaughey, Jeff Daniels, Woody Harrelson and Jon Hamm, but lost out to 'Breaking Bad' star Bryan Cranston.

Kevin is used to the disappointment after he was nominated for the same award last year for 'House of Cards' but Jeff Daniels won the prize for his role in 'The Newsroom'.