Hereford defender Mark Derricott Is likely to be out for three months after a scan revealed he has a stress fracture.
"That three month thing always seems to come up," manager Paul Caddis told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"Mark Derricott has suffered a stress fracture.
"Something we had to get scanned because if that goes undiagnosed at that age then it's very difficult to come back.
"Even at his age 18 it's his back, if it was an ankle or his knee or something it could be managable but we've got to look after the person first and foremost and his future.
"He will do nothing weight-bearing for the next six weeks or so.
"He's a brilliant lad. I've loved working with him and I'm delighted that out of the ones who were here last year he's still here.
"He wants to get better every single day. Although he's not fit at the moment he comes to every single training session, he's watching players in his position.
"He's trying to get better, he's asking me questions.
"I'm gutted for him but it's not the last we'll see of Mark Derricott."