Derek McInnes has confirmed Sam Cosgrove is out of Aberdeen's Europa League clash with Rijeka at Pittodrie.
The Dons' top scorer missed Sunday's Premiership defeat to St Mirren with a tight hamstring and was touch and go for the do-or-die meeting with the Croatians.
But McInnes will have to do without the towering frontman who has struck eight goals in just six appearances this season - including six in the Europa League.
Aberdeen have to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit in the north east if they want to secure a play-off spot and McInnes has called on the Red Army to come out in force to boost his players.
But he delivered the news Aberdeen fans were dreading on Cosgrove at this afternoon's pre-match conference.
"Sam is out unfortunately and so is Craig Bryson," he said.
"But as important a player as Sam is, we've shown we can get to a level of performance without key players in the past.
"We've got enough attacking threat in the team that we shouldn't be solely reliant on Sam. We hope to show that tomorrow night."
McInnes will now have to choose whether to go with Curtis Main, James Wilson or Stevie May in attack against Rijeka.
Main was given the nod at St Mirren but struggled to make an impact while May's days look numbered.
But McInnes is not giving up hope in his side's Euro dream.
The boss said: "It’s half time in the tie and we’re kicking ourselves that we allowed them to get the two goals. It’s important that we try and win both halves tomorrow.
"It’s certainly not an impossible task and the supporters need to see a team that has attacking intentions from the outset.
"If the crowd are as they have been in our three home games this season, that will make a difference."
