St Cuthbert Wanderers will have to do without Paddy Callaghan for the rest of the season.
The midfielder picked up a nasty injury towards the end of Saturday’s 3-0 League Cup win at Wigtown.
And while an X-ray has revealed no breaks, it will be next season at the earliest before he is back playing for the Kirkcudbright side.
Boss Jordan Williamson said: “It’s devastating for him, especially given how late in the game it was.
“It’s now twice we’ve gone to Wigtown and twice we’ve had players pick up season ending, potentially career ending, injuries.
“We don’t know the extent of it but it’s very similar to the symptoms Jonny Rawlings had. It’s two non-contact injuries, no one has been near them, it’s purely the pitch.
“It’s a shame but we’ll work with Paddy, we’ll wait for the full outcome and work with him from there.”
Goals from Dale Milligan and Russell Williamson had Saints in control at the break, Milligan sealing the win in the second half as he completed his brace.
The cup games continue for Saints this week with a double header against Threave Rovers.
It started with a Haig Gordon Cup win for Saints on Wednesday night before the League Cup group matches continue at Meadow Park on Saturday.
Williamson said: “We’re looking forward to it, as we always do. You look forward to games against your rivals.
“We’ve played them twice and won twice but we know it’s not a given, we know we’ll need to be at the best of our abilities.
“Threave are a good outfit with good players and we need to be very wary of the threat they possess.
“We’re working on a few things in training off the back of the two games we’ve played against them and hopefully that gives us even more of an edge going into the game.
“You want to progress in cups and be successful and we’ll be looking to stay unbeaten against them this season.”
Last Wednesday night Saints edged closer to the South of Scotland League crown, their 3-0 win over Mid Annandale meaning they now just need four points from their last four games to seal the title.
But cups take centre stage for the next few weeks with Saints not due to play another league game until April 16.
Williamson added: “It’s frustrating but it gives us the chance to focus on cups and try out a couple of things.
“It will hopefully put us in a good stead for that run of games at the end of April.
“I think the fact we’re not looking at league tables and opposition, we’re looking at ourselves, will give us the
best possible chance to reach those goals.”
