Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice has welcomed David Templeton back to training this week, but revealed midfielder Will Collar will remain sidelined until September.
As the Lanarkshire side gear up for Sunday's opener away to Celtic, Rice was delighted to see his talisman Templeton return to the pitch after struggling with a back problem.
However, he admitted that has been tempered by the massive blow that Collar is a long way off making his comeback.
Rice said: "David has got a massive part to play this season.
"Celtic will be too early for him - he's only just started his pre-season - but the players get a lift just seeing him back on the pitch.
"He's only doing bits of the training and then he's away for fitness work.
"But the bad news for us is Will Collar is going to be out for a number of weeks.
"Will came back and broke down on the first day of training, but he's going to be out for another 5-6 weeks with shin problems.
"It's really frustrating for the lad because towards the end of last season he really shone through.
"Will is going to be a massive miss for us early in the season."
Meanwhile, Rice hopes Templeton can help bring on the abundance of young players in the Accies squad this season.
Among them are new strikers Callum Smith, who was on loan at Airdrie from Dunfermline last season, and Tunde Owolabi, who has stepped up to the professional ranks from non-league football in England with FC United of Manchester.
Rice added: "David's been through this before and he's one of the older ones in the squad now.
"When he first started here he was a kid, so he'll know what it's like for these kids coming through.
"They'll need guidance and help in the dressing room and on the pitch.
"He's one of the lads I'll be expecting to help them."
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