St Johnstone midfielder Craig Bryson could be out for up to eight weeks, as he goes in for an operation to fix an ankle problem.
The 35-year-old from East Kilbride has battled through the pain barrier in recent weeks, but boss Callum Davidson says the injury needs to be fixed.
And while he says it's a blow to lose the former Derby County and Kilmarnock star - who won League Cup and Scottish Cup winners' medals with Saints last season - they have others who can step in.
Davidson told the Scottish Sun: "Craig will be out for six to eight weeks. He was struggling towards the end of that run of games in December.
"He has had a wee niggling problem with his ankle and needs an operation.
"Craig put his body on the line because we were struggling for players - he deserves a lot of credit for that.
"It's a big blow for him, but we have others who are fit and ready to go."
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