Caley Thistle fear Sean Welsh has broken a metatarsal again – six months after suffering the same injury.
Welsh limped off after half an hour of his side’s 2-0 win over Ayr United on Saturday and looks set for a considerable spell on the sidelines.
The former Partick Thistle and Falkirk midfielder suffered a similar injury against Alloa Athletic in March, however this time it has occurred on his other foot. He was also sidelined at the end of the 2016-17 season, while at Partick Thistle, with a metatarsal injury.
After signing a new two-year deal in the summer, Welsh made his comeback in the 3-1 Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup victory over Morton last month. He managed five appearances for the first team, scoring twice, but now looks to have been dealt a cruel blow.
Caley Jags coach Barry Wilson said: “He’s come back in, scored a couple of goals and been a really good, calming influence in the middle of the pitch. It’s disappointing for him firstly and us, as we’d just got back into a position where we’re challenging.
“It’s looking like the same injury but on the other foot. That’s the fear at the minute. You couldn’t write it, after all the hard work he’s done to get back into the first-team again.”
Welsh was replaced by Charlie Trafford at Somerset Park and the Canadian was one of four players that featured at Somerset Park and in Sunday’s North of Scotland Cup final defeat against Brora Rangers.
Mitch Curry pulled out of Sunday’s game after tweaking his groin in training, meaning Roddy MacGregor was drafted in to start his second game in 24 hours. David Carson and Nikolay Todorov, substitutes against Ayr, started the 3-2 loss against the Cattachs.
Wilson added: “Mitch tweaked his groin in training and we thought he was going to be OK, that the extra day after Saturday’s game might help. It was still a bit sore and that was at half-past 12 (on Sunday) and we decided we couldn’t risk him.
“When I was Elgin manager we had seven or eight boys that had to do it. We played Berwick on the Saturday then had to play Brora on the Sunday.
“Roddy’s got his first couple of starts and we’re happy with him. The next step is to add a goal threat to his game but he’s learning. He’s one that we’ve got high hopes for.”