Hartlepool United striker James Brown will be ruled out for the season after he snapped a cruciate ligament in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers.
Brown, 21, suffered the same injury on the other knee in a friendly against Hibernian in 2005 and manager Danny Wilson confessed his disappointment.
"I'm absolutely devastated for the kid and it looks like his season's over," Wilson told BBC Tees.
"All the lads are and the club is and it's a major blow for us."
Cramlington-born Brown has made 24 appearances this season, scoring eight goals, four short of his tally from last season.
And Wilson believes that with the support of staff and players, Brown will go on to make a full recovery.
"We'll get through it, we've got to support James, but it's one of those things that happen in football," he said.
"Years ago these injuries would finish you, and you'd never have the surgery you can have now but these days it's a six month process and it ends your season.
"If there's any good to come out of it in one respect it's that James has been there before.
"He knows it's a long haul but he's got through it and he can draw on his experiences and get himself through the injury."
Brown's injury has repercussions for Wilson ahead of Saturday's trip to Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup second round.
On-loan striker Kevin Kyle has been ruled out by his parent club Coventry for the tie, and Wilson admitted there will be forced changes to his squad.
"Kyle won't play so we're two down as we go, and we might be three down depending on Sam Collins," he said.
"It could be all hands to the pump."
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