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Stephen Robinson has confirmed Greg Kiltie is set for three months on the sidelines in a major St Mirren injury blow.
The midfielder has undergone surgery on an ankle problem and will be ruled out for a significant spell.
Kiltie, 27, will now miss the Conference League second qualifying round against the winners of Valur and Vllaznia alongside fellow long-term absentee Conor McMenamin.
The Northern Ireland internationalist is set for a similar return timeframe as team-mate Kiltie after having surgery in London last week.
"Greg has had an operation," said Robinson after a pre-season draw against Fleetwood Town. "Unfortunately, Greg is going to be out for three months. Him and Conor McMenamin probably a similar timeline.
"That's two big blows for us in terms of the system that we play both of them having been vital as those two 10s. That's something we are going to have to look at.
"I tried something today and it didn't particularly work to be honest. We have to look at how we replace that and others who are going to step up.
"Obviously we wish both boys a speedy recovery because they are players that we miss but it gives others opportunities to come to the fore and stake a claim for a starting place."
Scott Tanser also missed the pre-season runout in Paisley with a calf issue but it's hoped he will return to training this week with goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe rested as a precaution over a minor niggle.
"Tans is a wee bit of a neural and calf issue so it wasn't something we were wanting to risk today," said Robinson. "We are hoping he will be fit for next Friday - that's touch and go if he will be.
"But the way Jaden Brown is playing at the minute we have certainly got very good alternatives.
"People can't afford to be injured at the minute because we have got good options.
"Ellery we just rested today, he had a slight niggle that was absolutely nothing so he will be fine to train on Monday again."
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Meanwhile, Robinson brushed aside issues surrounding their potential Conference League opposition after unsavoury scenes in Iceland at the end of the first-leg.
Hosts Valur had equalised in the 99th minute with allegations of threats made by Vllaznia directors towards home chiefs ahead of the second leg in Shkoder next Thursday.
"To be honest I didn't see any of that," said the St Mirren manager who travelled to Reykjavik for the match. "I went up to the directors' box just near the end so when the goal went in I was off straight away. I had a long taxi ride and bus ride back to my hotel.
"We were concentrating solely on the football, I have heard bits and pieces afterwards but lucky enough I didn't see that. I was there solely to see both teams.
"I'll be honest, I don't know too much about it, I only came back late yesterday - it has been a wee bit of a whirlwind. I have not caught up with the bits and pieces going on only snippets that people have told me.
"Ultimately, we just want to look at the football and whichever side we get we go into the game confident and looking forward to it."
