Dundalk's Robbie Benson is out of the Champions League second-leg clash against Qarabag in Azerbaijan on Wednesday.
Benson is not in Dublin airport with the squad ahead of their late morning' charter which will stop for refuelling in Romania.
The midfielder suffered bruised ribs during the first-half of last Wednesday's first-leg at Oriel Park that finished 1-1.
He was forced off before the break and missed Saturday's league win away to St Patrick's Athletic as a result.
Dundalk first-team coach John Gill said today: "He's struggling with that bang he got and there was no point in him getting on a seven-hour flight.
"It's unfortunate as it was nearly in the exact same spot where he had the first injury (broken leg in the opening game of the season).
"They will probably spread his ashes there one day as he's around that spot so often."
Gill continued: "Had it been a shorter flight we might have brought him as he's a great lad and gives the group confidence but there's no point flying him 5,000 miles just to watch things."
Dundalk have yet to put a time on Benson's return but admit the midfielder is in considerable discomfort.
Sean Murray, who replaced Benson in the first-leg, is likely to start in Baku despite tweaking a long-standing groin issue in Saturday's win in Inchicore.
Vinny Perth has no other injury concerns but Stephen Folan and Jordan Flores have only just returned to training after injury and miss out.
