Chris Brandon fears his ankle injury could ground him for the start of the season.
The City midfielder limped off during Saturday's defeat at Motherwell and faces a race against time to be ready for the Coca-Cola League Two opener at home to Notts County a week on Saturday.
Fingers crossed it might heal up a bit quicker but it's just one of those things that happens in football
Although the initial swelling has gone down, Brandon predicts he could miss between two or three weeks.
That would also rule him out of a swift return to former club Huddersfield Town in the Carling Cup first round.
"It's touch and go for the start of the season," he admitted while talking to the Telegraph & Argus. "Obviously it's still early stages but I'm probably looking at a couple of weeks.
"Fingers crossed it might heal up a bit quicker but it's just one of those things that happens in football.
"It's very frustrating because I want to be playing straight away but there's nothing you can do.
"There is no point in trying to rush back too early and then being out for longer with something more serious."
Brandon had missed the first three pre-season games with a slight strain picked up in training. Having played 45 minutes against Dundee last week, he was beginning to find his feet at Fir Park when the injury struck.
He added: "I felt that my fitness was there and I was starting to get my touch back. I hadn't kicked a ball for a while up until the Dundee game so it was nice to get back in the swing of things.
"Then I went to block the ball and landed on my foot awkwardly. I don't think it's anything to worry about and I've had it checked out but obviously it's annoying if I miss some games."
Brandon is the latest victim of the injured ankle curse that has already struck down fellow new boys Paul McLaren and Michael Boulding as well as Kyle Nix.
But both McLaren and Nix could be in contention to face Burnley at Valley Parade on Wednesday evening after sitting out the weekend match.
Despite his personal setback, Brandon believes the time north of the border was well spent.
"Scotland was a very good trip because it got everyone together. We've worked hard and it was a good experience for the boys to play against a quality team like Motherwell.
"Nobody likes losing but that was a good exercise for us and we're gearing everything to the start of the season.
"In a strange sort of way, a tough game like that is good for your fitness levels. They kept the ball extremely well so we had to do a lot of chasing.
"This time of the year is all about getting fit, and working extra hard like that may help us in the long run."
