Mayo look set to be without their captain for the remainder of their season after Diarmuid O'Connor is understood to have suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
The Ballintubber man is expected to undergo surgery today on his wrist after picking up the injury at training last night, meaning it is unlikely the man who led Mayo to a first national title since 2001 back in March this season.
O'Connor's injury leaves James Horan quite thin on options at midfield after Matthew Ruane broke his collarbone during another training session before the county's qualifier clash with Down, while Tom Parsons and Seamus O'Shea, recovering from knee and ankle injuries respectively, are not believed to be near full fitness yet.
Meanwhile, Cillian O'Connor is close to making a return, according to manager James Horan. The star forward has been reported to be close to making a comeback for a few months now, even appearing for his club back in April, but he has thus far failed to line out for his county side.
That has led to a number of rumours, some suggesting the county's all-time top-scorer has endured another setback in his recovery. However, speaking after Mayo's win in Newry last Saturday night, Horan claimed, once again, that the forward his close to regaining full fitness.
He's just got a bad injury and he's working with a great medical crew who are trying to get him back.
But it's hard to get back to the fitness levels these guys are at. He's been out for a number of months. But he's pushing and he's getting very, very close.
While there have been a number of false dawns for Mayo fans in the past regarding the former captain's fitness, the lengthening injury list could see the older O'Connor sibling fast-tracked back into the panel for this Saturday's encounter with Armagh.
SEE ALSO: 'I Let The Class In, I Was So Confused. I Couldn’t Remember The Day Before'
