BLACKBURN Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel could miss the rest of the club's pre-season friendlies after picking up an injury in last night's 1-0 win against Bohemians Prague.
Friedel lasted just 23 minutes of the game in Ulm before hobbling off the pitch with a muscle injury.
Graeme Souness later confirmed the United States international could be out of action for several weeks.
And the Rovers boss admitted the injury had taken the gloss off what had been an industrious performance against the Czechs in testing conditions.
"The one downside of the night is we've lost our goalkeeper and I don't think he'll take part in too much of pre-season after that," said Souness.
"I think it's his kicking muscle at the top of his leg, which he's damaged before, so I don't think he'll play in the rest of our pre-season matches.
"As for the game itself, I thought it was another really good work-out. It was very hot and they were hard conditions to play football in but the players did well.
"You could see after half an hour that some of them found it very difficult.
"We've been working them hard in training and it was hot and humid out there."
Friedel wasn't the only player to pick up an injury on the night, either.
Barry Ferguson also limped out of the action after he took a knock on the same knee he damaged at Newcastle last season.
But, thankfully, the newly appointed skipper is hoping to be back for next week's game with Stockport despite having four stitches inserted into the scar from his old injury.
"The guy went over the top and studded me in the scar but I'm alright," said Ferguson.
"I just had to get four stitches put back in again.
"The good thing is the knee held up - that's the main thing. I knew when it happened that my knee was okay, even though I looked down to see the scar had opened up again."
Rovers went on to win the final game of their pre-season tour courtesy of Javier De Pedro's first goal for the club.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article