On-loan Aberdeen defender Tommie Hoban looks set return to parent club Watford after he suffered a cruciate ligament injury.
Hoban joined Aberdeen in the summer but missed much of the campaign with a shoulder injury.
After finally returning to fitness, he only managed a total of nine games before catching his studs in the Pittodrie pitch during the 2-2 draw with St. Mirren.
Hoban suffered a similar injury last season and had only just returned to fitness when he headed for Aberdeen.
He’ll now undergo surgery to repair his knee.
The former Irish youth international had become a regular in Derek McInnes’ side since returning to fitness and losing the defender will be a big blow.
With his Watford deal up in the summer, Hoban now faces a sweat over his long-term future.
Hoban has been with Watford eight years, making 58 appearances, and also had a spell on loan with Blackburn Rovers.