INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE were yesterday facing up to the sickening blow of losing the influential Gary Warren to a broken leg.

The recently appointed team captain shattered his fibula bone in a clattering challenge from Motherwell's Stephen Pearson on Saturday.

Warren, a huge player in last season's Scottish Cup run and third place Premiership finish, is now contemplating missing a significant chunk of the new season.

It is understood the best-case scenario, if Warren has avoided complications, is six to eight weeks of rehabilitation.

But the absence could stretch to several months depending on the nature of the break and whether the weight-bearing tibia is affected.

It amounts to another cruel blow to the 30-year-old former Newport County centre-half who missed both of the club's Scottish Cup and League Cup final appearances through suspension over the last two seasons.

Manager John Hughes admitted he was devastated by the news yesterday amid mounting injury troubles for Inverness.

Hughes said: "Gary has broken his leg. It's the smaller bone, the fibula, on the side of the leg.

"I'm absolutely gutted for him. Since the first day I arrived at the club, Gary has been such an honest, hard-working individual.

"He was so very unfortunate to go and miss out on two cup finals and then this happens.

"Gary had only just taken over the captaincy as well, so it's devastating for him personally and for all the lads.

"I've no clear indication yet as to how long he will be out, but we just need to wish him a speedy recovery."

The dream scenes of Hampden Park and Europa League qualification have quickly segued into disturbing times for Inverness.

Warren's misfortune comes on the back of a Europa League exit to Astra Giurgiu and the opening-day defeat to Motherwell in the league.

Josh Meekings also limped out of Saturday's tussle at half-time, although Hughes had no idea how serious his injury was.

The central-defensive pair join Aaron Doran, James Vincent, Carl Tremarco, Richie Foran, Dean Brill, Jordan Roberts and young Calum Ferguson on the injury list, although all are short-term absentees.

On top of that, Hughes has recruited strikers Dani Lopez and Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo but both remain short of match fitness for now.

The wafer-thin resources were exposed with two bare spaces on the Inverness bench in the narrow defeat to the Fir Park side.

Hughes added: "We haven't the resources to go and spend on emergency signings, so hopefully a good few of the lads will be back soon."

Goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, one of five summer signings, has only spent a fortnight or so with the club but was well aware of the significance of losing Warren.

The former Wales Under-21 said: "The injury to Gaz is a tough one to take as he's an integral part of the team.

"Drapes [Ross Draper] came in and filled the gap tremendously well, but when you start losing important players it is always difficult.

"It's never nice to see someone being carried off the pitch in that manner.

"And you know immediately, when a big character like Gary goes down and stays down, it's worrying.

"I've only known the lads a couple of weeks but you quickly see who the tough cookies are – and Gary is definitely one of them.

"He doesn't stay down without good reason and I hope to God he's going to be back with us as quickly as possible."

Fon Williams, who saved Scott McDonald's penalty brilliantly, added: "You save some, you miss some. I'm not going to get carried away.

"It's one where I read it and went the right way, luckily keeping hold of it.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get the points. It's a really disappointing start to the season."