SAINTS boss Will Still is fearing the worst about Shea Charles, after the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury against Blackburn Rovers.
Northern Ireland international Charles pulled up during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park and was replaced in midfield by after 81 minutes.
Still suggested he was already planning to withdraw Charles before full-time due to fitness concerns, but could now be without the 21 year old.
A hamstring strain can cause a player to miss up to a few weeks of action, but a partial tear hamstring can take four to eight weeks to heal, while a complete tear can leave a player out of action for months.
"We knew that a few players couldn't play 90 minutes, and I think Shea Charles is probably the perfect example of that," said Still, after the match.
"We didn't want him to play 90 minutes; we knew he couldn't, but we didn't really have many options, and we've let ourselves down.
"He's pulled his hamstring. It doesn't look great."
Charles is the only member of the squad to start every Championship game so far this season, meaning Still has now lost his most established player.
Saints were without Flynn Downes and Caspar Jander at Blackburn through illness, while Joe Aribo and Kuryu Matsuki did not travel with the squad.
The St Mary's outfit have already lost Ross Stewart to a hamstring and tendon issue this campaign. The Scottish forward is out until 2026.
Still will issue further details about Charles' injury when he speaks to the media ahead of his side's home match against Preston next week.
