Keith O'Neill's return to football ended prematurely last night when he limped off with a hamstring strain while playing for Coventry City's reserves.
The Dubliner, capped 13 times by the Republic of Ireland, was made Coventry captain for his comeback match but lasted just 30 minutes before tweaking a hamstring.
Reserve team manager Gary Mills admitted it was a "blow for Keith."
Mills added: "Hopefully he won't be out for too long and he has just got to keep working now until he is back to fitness again."
O'Neill has made just 11 appearances (four as a substitute) for the club since joining from Middlesbrough in August 2001.
He suffered a double leg break in a training ground accident towards the end of last season and then broke his hand by hitting a punchball at a charity event.