Archie Davies could be set for a lengthy lay-off with Carlisle United expecting the wing-back to need surgery.
Davies missed the 1-1 draw with Harrogate Town with a shoulder injury.
And head coach Mike Williamson said it looks likely that the former Crawley Town and Dundalk man will require an operation.
That situation is expected to be confirmed soon.
“On Monday, or early in the week at least, we’ll know for definite,” Williamson told the News & Star.
“He's had scans and it certainly looks that way [regarding an operation], but I haven't had the clarification yet.”
In summer signing Davies’ absence, Williamson fielded Dominic Sadi at right wing-back, with Jack Robinson a second-half substitute. Jack Ellis, another option in the position, was not in the squad at Brunton Park.
Williamson did not rule out looking in the market for cover for Davies, but said that was not an immediate priority.
“He’s going to have a good period of time out, and we're always just looking for quality – if something does come up, then we'll look at it,” he added.
“But at the minute, we're just focused on the boys that are coming back in.
“We've got [centre-back] Aaron Hayden who is back training with us now. He'll be big for us and we've got a few more coming back.”
Williamson said Tuesday’s trip to Walsall would probably be too soon for Hayden, who has only done one full session since his return from a calf problem.
Against Harrogate, both Callum Guy and Taylor Charters made their first starts of the season after returning from injury, while fit-again Ethan Robson made his debut as a second-half substitute.
In midfielder Guy’s case it was a first start for nearly a year after his recovery from an ACL injury.
“It’s been a long time, and for him to get through 60 minutes or so was brilliant,” said Williamson.
“He's got that class, he's got the calm and we've just got to look after him and wrap him in cotton wool now.
“I thought both of them [performed well]. Taylor…you could see he's just such a wholehearted player and he gives everything.
“You could see him tiring quickly because he was so desperate to run and hurry and to fight, but that's what we need.”
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