Tyrone manager Mickey Harte looks set to be without All-Star forward Cathal McShane for an extended period.
McShane suffered an ankle injury during the second half of Tyrone's 19 point defeat to Galway in Tuam.
The Irish Examiner is reporting that the 24-year-old is facing up to five months after dislocating his ankle.
The Owen Roe O’Neill’s clubman recently turned down a move to the professional game in Australia and it was seen as a major boost for Tyrone's Championship hopes.
Speaking after the game Harte said: "It is not any time soon. I will put it like that."
Harte added: "I am not a medical man but it sounds bad and didn't look good either. He was in great pain coming off. That is where our thoughts are today.
"I know the importance of football and not to diminish that but there are more important things. And we have to keep that in perspective."
It was a day to forget for Tyrone, who also had Frank Burns and Kieran McGeary sent off.
The injury is almost certain to rule McShane out of Tyrone’s Ulster championship opener against Donegal in Ballybofey on May 17.
"Absolute disaster"
Speaking on Monday's OTB AM, Anthony Moyles described McShane's potential long-term absence as an "absolute disaster" for Tyrone's All-Ireland hopes.
"McShane was such a pivotal point for them. You could fire them in long, put them in high, put them in low to him. He was physical, he was able to dish it off, he was able to win his own ball and with the advanced mark too.
"There was a lot riding on him. I think they are in bother – it's not a good situation now," he added.
The injury is almost certain to rule McShane out of Tyrone’s Ulster championship opener against Donegal in Ballybofey on May 17.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
