Raith Rovers have been dealt a big blow ahead of Saturday’s first league game of the season with the news that Lewis Vaughan has suffered cruciate ligament damage to his knee and could be sidelined for several months.
The 19-year-old striker suffered the injury in the first-half of last weekend’s victory over Albion Rovers and had his knee scanned on Monday.
There is still swelling around the joint so the full extent of the damage is not known but McKinnon admitted he was devastated for Vaughan.
The manager said: “The scan has revealed there is cruciate damage, which is absolutely horrendous for Lewis.
“I have looked back at the incident and there is absolutely nothing in it but Lewis has been left with this injury.
“I am devastated for the boy as I really believed this could be a big season for him.
“He has great technical ability and since I came in, he has been flying.
“Now he has suffered this blow. It is too early to tell exactly how long he will be out for as there is still swelling so we will have to send him to see a specialist.
“However, it is certain that he will be out for a long time so I might now need to have a look to see what’s out there and add to my striking options.”