A hamstring strain has left Owen Mulligan doubtful for Tyrone's opening Ulster SFC match against Down in Omagh on June 8th.
The forward suffered the injury in the final league game against Laois on March 15th and has made just one partial appearance for his club Cookstown Fr Rock's since.
This week the injury began to affect his back and Tyrone coach Mickey Harte admitted today Mulligan has no hope of playing the full game against Down.
"It's a hamstring with back connection. It hasn't cleared up yet, so he would be a serious doubt for the game," Harte said. "He hasn't made the progress we all had expected or hoped, and it's very close to the match now.
"If he's not ready now, it's highly unlikely that he will be ready in time. He certainly won't be ready for 70 minutes of championship football."