Kevin Cassidy believes Eoghan Bán Gallagher's injury will be a major blow to the Donegal footballers.
"He snapped his ankle last night in training. Obviously a massive blow for us." the former Donegal footballer said at a Now TV event on Thursday.
The defender had been in All-Star form for Donegal who this weekend face Kerry at Croke Park in their second game of this year's Super 8s stage.
"He's been doing brilliantly up to this point but he's the kind of player who would relish Croke Park with the spaces," continued Cassidy.
And his speed is key to our counter-attack, so he's going to be a massive loss.
You're probably looking at the likes of Daire Ó Baoill to come in to replace him. Similar type players but Eoghan has got slightly more experience so he will be a massive loss for this weekend and obviously for the rest of the year.
Maybe if you're looking at a Dublin or a Kerry they can easily replace these guys. Our squad is strong but it wouldn't be overly strong. We're lucky that we have Daire to come in. We're also a wee bit unlucky that Kieran Gillespie, who'd be a natural centre-half back is probably two or three weeks away yet.
Speaking at the same event, former Kerry footballer Kieran was full of praise for Bán Gallagher.
"Just watching him glide across Ballybofey the last day, he doesn't actually look like he's going fast. It looks like he's jogging, but he's leaving fellas for dead. It's the weirdest thing ever. He just carries ball.
"Donegal will miss that, he's almost like Tomás Ó Sé, he reminds me of that kind of loose style but he's covering serious ground, he's putting his man on the back foot. It's a nightmare for a half forward to go up against an Eoghan Bán Gallagher. You're always worried about him and where is he.
"So he'll be a loss. It's a tough break on him. Sport is cruel sometimes, it takes a season away from you."
Pictured at the NOW TV Super 8’s preview event were former Kerry star Kieran Donaghy, six-time All-Ireland winner and former Dublin footballer Paul Flynn, Donegal great Kevin Cassidy and former Tyrone sharpshooter Owen ‘Mugsy’ Mulligan.
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