Exeter City captain Pierce Sweeney is facing a two month spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury in the closing stages of the Grecians’ defeat to Barnsley last week.

It is a significant blow to both City and the popular 30-year-old Irishman, who is closing in on 400 appearances – he is up to 391 - for the club he first joined in the summer of 2016.

To make matters worse, the Grecians also have fitness doubts over on-loan Brentford defender Tristan Crama, who was forced out of Saturday’s 2-1 win at Burton Albion after just 26 minutes. He was replaced by Jack Fitzwater, who looks certain to start to the Boxing Day clash with Bristol Rovers.

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The Grecians may be forced to recall Cheick Diabate from his loan at League Two side Bradford City where has featured since November 19.. Ed James has already been recalled from National South side Yeovil Town due to picking up a hamstring injury.with numbers now very light at centre half.

The Grecians also have Johnly Yfeko recovering from a hamstring injury and while he is back in light training, it will be a few more weeks before the on-loan Rangers man will be back in a City shirt.

“Sweeney is going to be out for eight to ten weeks, so he is out for a long period of time which, for him at this club, is something new,” Caldwell said. “I don’t think it has every happened before, so it shows the level we are at, the games that we have had that it has taken a toll on a stalwart player that is always there. We will miss him, but I am sure he will work hard and come back even better.”

Sweeney posted on social media: “Gutted to have picked up an injury that’ll see me out of action for a significant period of time. I will be around the boys doing what I can until I’m back fit. Merry Christmas, all the best, God bless.”

Frenchman Crama, who played 34 games on loan at Rovers last season, has been a stand-out player for the Grecians this campaign, but the hope is that he will not be out for long.

“Tristan, we are still assessing,” Caldwell said. “It is not as bad as it could have been, but he missed training on Friday and he didn’t feel any worse when he came off in the game, he just didn’t feel comfortable, so taking him off was 100 per-cent the right thing to do.

“Hopefully it is a only minor muscle injury and we can get him back in a quick space of time to be available soon because he is a big player for us.

“He had a tight hamstring so didn’t train on Friday, he felt better on Saturday and we felt it was worth risking him. He is not any worse, so that is the good news, but it is an injury and a hamstring, which we always need to be worried about and look at.”

Fitzwater was excellent in coming on and taking the place of Crama at Burton, showing once again why Caldwell was keen to keep him at St James Park and offer him a new contract, despite the Brummie not being a regular in his first choice starting XI.

“Fitzy never lets you down, he is always there. His professionalism and standards are incredibly high and because of that, when he comes on he is ready to put in that sort of performance. We kept a clean sheet in the time that he was on the pitch and he controlled that backline brilliantly. He deserves credit for being that all the way through this season.”

Speaking about James manager Caldwell said: "Ed picked up an injury to his hamstring so we've called him back. We don't think it will be a long injury but he couldn't feature for Yeovil on Saturday so he is coming back for Michael in the medical team to asses him. Hopefully we will get him back quickly and available as we are struggling in that area as well.

"Ed has been brilliant so far and is someone we have high hopes for the future. I've seen him progress steadily since I've been here and has made good steps forward this season.

James made three appearances for the Glovers and scored in their 3-1 win at home to Braintree. He has been part of the City team that has excelled in the Premier League Cup so far this season, winning five out of five, he has also played in all three of City's Vertu Trophy wins.