Ayr United have been dealt a huge injury blow with Alex Kirk facing up to three months on the sidelines.
The centre half, on loan from English giants Arsenal, has been a shining light as the Honest Men have surged to the top of the Championship.
But the 20-year-old was stretchered off in the closing seconds of Saturday's 2-2 draw at Inverness with a suspected fracture of his ankle.
He will now return south to the Emirates for treatment and rehab with the Gunners medical staff.
Boss Lee Bullen told the Ayrshire Post: "It's a sore one as Alex has had a real impact and settled into the group fantastically well.
"The injury looked so innocuous at the time as he just fell to the turf when the ball came in.
"He'll be properly assessed down the road and we're hopeful he'll be back playing in two to three months."
United are counting the injury cost of their trip to the Highlands after Daire O'Connor limped off with a hamstring strain just before half time.
It's hoped both Jordan Houston and Frankie Musonda will be fit to return for Ayr's next Championship game - at home to Raith on December 3.
Before that, the Honest Men welcome Pollok in the Scottish Cup in front of the BBC Scotland cameras next Monday night.
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