SAUCHIE Juniors moved a step closer to cup glory on Saturday but they might need to continue on that road without talisman Darren Cummings after the explosive forward left the field with what appeared to be a torn hamstring.

Cummings left the park after just 30 minutes of action in his side’s 3-1 East of Scotland Cup win over Dalkeith Thistle with Sauchie a goal down against the run of play.

And manager Fraser Duncan confirmed he feared the worst with Darren likely to miss the rest of the campaign, finishing a season plagued by injury in bitterly apt fashion.

The gaffer told Advertiser Sport, “Darren is a huge blow for us, especially as he’s just hitting the goals. I don’t know exactly how it will peter out just yet but I don’t think Darren will play much more of a part for us this season.

“He hasn’t seen anyone just yet because it’s still inflamed but it’s looking like a tear, and if that’s the case his season’s finished. Injuries have really scuppered him this season but that’s a footballer’s life, you get seasons like this.” But Fraser is content with the backup to Cummings he possesses in the ranks, between the excellent U21s side and Saturday’s goalscorer Gary Bonnes.

Duncan continued, “If Darren’s season is over it leaves more space for the 21s to get in the squad. And Gary Bonnes is just back from injury himself, Saturday was probably his first game without the niggle.

I thought Gary was excellent on Saturday and it’s probably his urgency that’s pushed us through the game. I’m delighted to see him back on the scoresheet, he’s someone we’d expected more goals from but he’s been very unlucky with injuries as well. He took his goal really well and he’d been threatening all game.” And Bonnes himself said he was more than ready to step up for Fraser should the boss call on him to fill the gap left following Cummings’ injury.

Gary added, “It’s unfortunate the way I got on the pitch with Darren Cummings injured because he has been outstanding recently.

“I’m ready to fill in that role if Darren is out now but I can’t say if the gaffer will play me out left or keep Samuel out there and put me up top.

“I’m there as part of a team, you don’t want any of the boys out injured especially one of the key players amd especially the form he’s been in. I’m more than ready to come in there and do the job though, whether it’s left wing or up front.”