Brechin have suffered a shattering blow with the news that Charlie King will be out for the rest of the season.
The veteran midfielder broke his right ankle in the first minute of a closed doors game against Stirling Albion and has undergone surgery.
The injury could not have come at a worse time, with City back at the top of the second division and needing key players like King over the next few games to try and secure their lead.
The City stalwart, who joined the club in 2001, was also relishing the chance to turn out at the Glebe on Wednesday night in a game with one half of the Old Firm to mark the conclusion of his testimonial year. He is gutted he will not now have a playing role when Glasgow Rangers send a team in his honour, though he is determined he will still be on the pitch.
Speaking from home, King said, “I am obviously distraught. I will be looking to see the team physio as soon as possible to see what he says about how long I will have to be out.
“It’s difficult to be positive, but hopefully it won’t be too long.”
He said it was a crushing blow to have to sit out his testimonial game but he pledged he would be at the Glebe to enjoy the action along with his wife Natalie and daughters Mirren (4) and two-year-old Jessie.
King said, “One of the first things that went through my mind when I hit the ground was my testimonial game.
“But I will definitely be there, and I will do everything I can to get on the pitch, even if it’s only to wave my crutches around.”
City manager Jim Weir said it was a huge loss to have King out of the side.
He said, “This is a real setback for a player at the peak of his career. It’s disappointing for everybody at the club. We are all gutted for him.
“We will all just have to try and help him keep his head up and make sure he comes back fit and healthy as soon as he can.
“He has said he is happy for his testimonial game to go ahead and he will be there so we will have to try and ensure he has a good game to watch.”
Weir gave his side the weekend off but they will then be back in training preparing for the visit of the Rangers XI and then their away trip on Saturday, when it is back to league business and they travel to East Fife.