Lyndon Dykes is a major doubt for Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifiers next month.
The QPR striker was admitted to hospital last month amid health concerns and a bout of pneumonia.
The 27-year-old has since been released and returned home to his family.
However, his boss at Loftus Road has refused to put a timeframe on the forward's return to the pitch.
Scotland play Cyprus and Spain at Hampden as the qualification campaign for the next European Championships gets underway.
However, Steve Clarke looks set to be without Dykes.
Neil Critchley insists he won't be rushed back. He said: “We don’t want to put a timeframe on Lyndon’s return. What he needs to do is be patient, as we do we and give him our support.
“Any footballer is desperate to come back and I know that is the case with Lyndon. When you speak to him he puts a brave face in it and says he feels better.
“But his health is more important than football, so we say take your time, he’ll be back when he is ready. He is getting brilliantly looked after by our medical team and the specialist.
“Because he is out for the foreseeable that left us short in numbers and quality at the top end of the pitch. So Chris Martin is a fantastic addition to the squad.
“He has already proved his quality in training this week, and I think he will play a big part for us between now and the end of the season.
“Lyndon is not back at the club – he is at home resting with his family and seeing how goes on a daily basis at the moment."
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