Glentoran have been rocked by news that Conor McMenamin suffered a fractured leg in Friday night's feisty stalemate with Coleraine.
The Northern Ireland international was stretchered off in the first half following a tackle from behind from Dean Jarvis which saw the Coleraine defender shown a yellow card.
McMenamin was taken to hospital where initial scans revealed a fracture to his left leg.
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The 27-year-old will undergo further scans over the weekend to confirm the full extent of the damage.
It is understood McMenamin picked up a suspected fracture of the left fibula but it remains unclear how long he will be out for.
It is likely the Glens will be without their talisman for several weeks, dealing the East Belfast club a massive blow as they target a first title since 2009.
It is also a huge set-back for McMenamin who has been on the radar of a number of cross-channel clubs this season.
Manager Mick McDermott claimed referee Steven Gregg admitted he had made a mistake in only showing Coleraine defender Jarvis a yellow card following the challenge.
It is one of nine bookings handed out by Gregg, with Paddy McClean also receiving a late red as the visitors were reduced to 10 men for the closing stages of the game.
McDermott said afterwards: “Everyone is raving about Conor Mac being the best player in the League and going to England and now teams have resorted to trying to injure him.
"If Conor's injured are people happy because he can't play against them? It's pathetic.
“That’s not on, it’s not football, we should be trying to protect the assets in our League, not trying to hurt them."
In recent weeks it has been suggested the Irish League should introduced VAR, and McDermott once again gave his support to it.
"They are talking about bringing in VAR, well bring it in...there would have been two red cards tonight," he said.
"We need to help them with technology, it can't go on like this.
"The last game against Glenavon we had two goals ruled out yet they were onside.
"People say it balances out over the season...it doesn't."
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