Ross County midfielder Rocco Quinn could be out for up to four months after undergoing a hip operation on Monday.
Quinn had been in need of the surgery for several weeks, prompting manager Jim McIntyre to bring in central midfielders Martin Woods and Terry Dunfield on short-term contracts earlier this month.
McIntyre confirmed the 28-year-old’s prognosis is likely to be an absence until February.
McIntyre said: “The physio Crawford Quinn has still to speak to the surgeon to get the full lowdown of it. However, Rocco has had his op and will probably be facing the best part of four months out.”
Quinn was an injury absentee for Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Celtic at Victoria Park, a match McIntyre is keen to consign to history when the Staggies face a St Mirren side just three points ahead of them on Saturday.
McIntyre believes his side can take inspiration from Dundee United, who have recovered from a 6-1 reverse against Ronny Deila’s side earlier this season, and are currently second in the Premiership.
McIntyre added: “Having viewed the game back, we never gave ourselves a chance because we didn’t show enough courage on the ball. We went back to front far too often. We never got a chance to grow into the game.
“I’ve also got to praise Celtic. They pressed us really well and put us under a lot of pressure.
“The first goal was definitely offside. But they were deserved winners.
“Of course we never want to get turned over so heavily at home. That’s not what we’re about. However when a team such as Celtic are on the money, as against Dundee United earlier on in the season, they’re capable of doing that to anybody.
“We had a couple of really positive results in the two games before it, and we want to continue that.
“It’s important we learn from it and try to do some things better. We did give away cheap goals. It’s about how we react, that’s the biggest thing. The spirit has been good, we’ve got it out of our system and we look forward to Saturday’s game against St Mirren.
“We’re up against the team nearest us in the league on Saturday and it’s a chance to go level on points with them.”
We’ve got it out of our system and we look forward to Saturday