Irvine Meadow boss George Grierson is out of action for the foreseeable future after dislocating his hip for the second time in a month.
Grierson was injured in an accident at home on Sunday morning and taken to hospital where he was operated on later that day.
He is now in a leg brace and crutches and has been advised to take a break from football until he hears back from specialists.
That immediately rules him out of being in the dugout for Meadow’s West of Scotland Premier Division clash against Darvel on Friday night.
Grierson dislocated his hip in another accident at home at the end of October but only missed one game before he was back at the helm.
But the gutted gaffer told Ayrshire Football News it’s impossible to put a timescale on when he will return this time round.
He said: “It’s really disappointing news but unfortunately unavoidable given what’s happened.
“I was on my knees doing a bit of tidying up on Sunday and my hip just popped out, leaving my leg at a right angle. The pain was excruciating..
“Thankfully I got the operation later that day but I’ve been told the football is a no-no for now. I’m on crutches and in a brace the length of my leg.
“I'm seeing the specialist next Tuesday so I’ll have a better idea then but I think it’s fair to say I’m out for the foreseeable.
Grierson added: “I’ve spoken to the players and Kevin Deeney and Gary Russell will take the team while I’m out of action.
“They’ll come to see me every week so I’ll still be involved. But games and training are just not going to be possible.”
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