Dundee United will be without Stewart Murdoch for Friday’s play-off showdown at Falkirk.
And the newly-converted full-back looks to have no chance of being involved should the Tangerines make next week’s final.
Murdoch has been starring since switching from midfield to right-back for the Challenge Cup Final in March.
But on Tuesday night he lasted little over seven minutes of the 2-2 Tannadice draw with the Bairns in the first leg of their play-off semi.
He limped off with a torn groin muscle that will end his season.
United were able to send on club captain and experienced right-back Sean Dillon in his place and he looks set to take over from Murdoch for the full 90 minutes at the Falkirk Stadium in 48 hours.
Problem with that is Dillon is lacking match practice and Tuesday was his first prolonged run out since he damaged ankle ligaments at St Mirren two months ago.
“Losing Stewart was a blow but we did have Sean there,” said gaffer Ray McKinnon.
“He came on and showed his experience. Given he’s been out for so long he did well.”
After being pegged back twice, United will go into the second legs as underdogs.
McKinnon, though, will approach the game in upbeat mood and believes his men can still book a place in next week’s promotion decider.
“It’s just half-time in the tie. The lads are disappointed but I’ve told them they have 90 minutes and the whole season comes down to it now.
“We are motivated, the game is well and truly on.
“We will go down there and try to win it, we can’t wait for it to come around now.”
For ex-United gaffer Peter Houston, the 2-2 draw represented a decent outcome and it was one he felt might have been better.
“There were spells in the game where it looked like we would win and when John Baird headed home late on I thought we had,” he said.
“The TV people tell me his foot was offside and that’s why it didn’t count.
“I thought we showed a lot of character to come back twice from a goal down.
“Now I’d like to see us get the first goal in the second leg and see how Dundee United respond to that.”
Tickets for Friday night’s game are available from the club shop at Tannadice.
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