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Stephen Robinson is hopeful Mark O'Hara will only be out injured for a maximum of two weeks.
The St Mirren captain has been ruled out of featuring in the UEFA Conference League tie against SK Brann through a thigh issue.
O'Hara - who scored a sensational volley in the 4-1 win over Valur in the previous round - was not involved against Hibs at the weekend and is now expected to miss a few weeks of action.
However, he insisted his captain will still play a vital role ahead of the first leg against Norwegian side Brann albeit without taking up his usual position in the heartbeat of midfield.
“It’s a thigh problem, the same as last season," confirmed Robinson. "It’s something we have to take care with to make sure it doesn’t turn into something more serious.
"He’s had a scan, it’s nothing major, and we’re hoping a 10-day to two-week injury.”
“It’s a blow to Mark personally and it’s a blow to us as a team because of how he played in the first two games.
“He was back to his best, playing in a position that suits him really well.
“But we have other good players at the football club. There is a lot of competition for places.
“So while we’d want Mark involved, it’s now an opportunity for other people.
“It’s a big disappointment for Mark personally.
“He worked really hard throughout preseason but we have a few who are missing like Greg Kiltie, Scott Tanser and Colin McMenamin who worked their socks off to get into Europe and have picked up untimely injuries.
"You really feel for those boys and now Mark is the same, albeit his injury isn’t at the same level.
“We’re hoping he’ll be back involved again in the next couple of weeks - and hopefully we’re still in Europe.
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“I make every player come to every game.
“We’re a small unit and we went everyone together. You don’t want to ostracise the lads who are injured, you want to make sure everybody stays part of the group.
“So Mark will be there, as he always is, encouraging everyone and speaking to the younger players as he does.
“He’ll still play a major part, off the pitch, as all the injured boys will."
Meanwhile, Mika Mandron has been passed fit to potentially play from the start against Brann after coming off the bench in the win over Hibs.
Caolan Boyd-Munce is also fully fit but Lewis Jamieson will miss the match - he is expected to return for the trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen on Sunday after a thigh knock.
"Mika is fit," said Robinson. "Caolan Boyd-Munce came through the game fine.
"Everybody else has come through bar Lewis Jamieson who wasn't involved either with a thigh injury. He is only days away from being fit now so he should be involved on Sunday."
