Erzgebirge Aue's season has given fans little to cheer about and the news that Arvydas Novikovas would miss the remainder of their season was not what they wanted to hear.
The Lithuanian was injured on Wednesday night in an under-23 game, in a bid to get back to full fitness, although that back-fired and he will now be unavailable with a fractured ankle.
An MRI-scan after their 2-0 win revealed the extent of the damage, something that club, player or fan will be pleased with. Novikovas could have made his return this Monday, against Eintracht Braunschweig, having previously been out with a groin problem.
The 24-year-old wide midfielder had provided two goals and two assists in 21 games this season, though his pace and direct running style always posed a threat to the opposition. Boss Tomislav Stipic will be without him against Braunschweig, Karlsruher SC, 1. FC Union Berlin, 1. FC Kaiserslautern and 1. FC Heidenheim.