St Johnstone captain Jody Morris will be out for around a month, after it emerged he has been playing through the pain barrier for weeks with a broken back.
Manager Derek McInnes already has influential defender Michael Duberry sidelined with a groin injury and must now do without another on-field general for a crucial part of the season.
The Perth boss said, “It is hugely disappointing because we are now at the business end of the campaign and the next few games will determine where we end up in the league and the cup.
“Jody has been told he needs to rest. He has already been laid up for two weeks since the Aberdeen game so he could be out for another month.
“After further investigation and a scan it transpires Jody was playing with a stress fracture in his lower back for several weeks.”
He added, “He has been in agony after games and he could hardly walk the day after the Dons match.
“He was putting himself out there because we had a few injuries to midfielders.
“He has been incredibly brave and put the team first. But now he has to put Jody Morris first.
“Obviously Jody and Michael are hugely experienced players so they will be missed.”‘Extraordinarily’ hard workReflecting on Saturday’s cup tie at Brechin, McInnes acknowledged a draw was a fair outcome.
McInnes, who had to kick down the dressing room door at half-time as the key had been lost, said, “Everyone was keen to get the game on.
“They all deserve credit for making it hugely entertaining for the fans.
“They worked extraordinarily hard on a pitch that became farcical.
“That made it difficult to move the ball but the game had goals, mistakes, controversy we had to deal with a penalty that shouldn’t have been given and bags of effort.”
McInnes is taking a look at Jordan Robertson (23), who was training with Dundee United after a prison term imposed for a road traffic death crash.
The striker took part in a closed-doors match on Monday and is a free agent so could be signed immediately.
Saints were linked with former full-back Callum Davidson, who has been released by Preston.
The Dunblane-based veteran, now 34, left for Blackburn in a record £2m deal.
Saints have played down the speculation.