Heartache for Rotherham United skipper Joe Rafferty
Right-back may have worn a red-and-white shirt for final time
Captain Joe Rafferty won't feature for Rotherham United again in their battle to avoid League Two relegation after suffering a season-ending injury.
The 33-year-old defender limped out of last Saturday's clash at Swindon Town, which was his 500th career appearance.
It may be that he has played his last match in a Millers shirt as his contract at AESSEAL New York Stadium expires in the summer.
"He's ruptured his thigh muscle," boss Alex Bruce confirmed.
The loss of the experienced right-back, who had been brought back into the side after Rotherham had slipped into the lower reaches of the fourth tier, is a major blow.
He joins another season-long victim - attacker Fabio Tavares - in a crowded treatment room at the club's Roundwood training base.
Ironically, Rafferty had spoken of being in as good as shape as ever and wanting to play into his 40s only nine days before he suffered thigh damage in an innocuous incident as he crossed a ball at the County Ground.
Meanwhile, Bruce is calling on his struggling squad to dig deep and show the spirit to overcome recent adversity and start climbing the table.
Speaking after Tuesday night's Jersey Mike's Trophy loss against Newcastle United Under-21s, he said: "You have to find it within yourself. You have to roll your sleeves up, you have to look yourself in the mirror and ask: 'Am I doing enough to turn it around?' It's as simple as that.
"We've got big games coming up and we've got to make sure we're ready for the challenge."
"There were lads coming into the team this evening who haven't played much football. George Sabine hasn't played any football and looked like he hadn't; Klaidi Lolos, the same. There were a few who were a little bit rusty."