The loss of centre-back Darren McCormack to a cruciate knee ligament injury is a severe hit to Westmeath's hopes of holding onto their Liam McCarthy Cup status.
The Lakesiders take on Dublin's hurlers in an All-Ireland SHC Relegation play-off this Saturday in Tullamore - throw-in 2.00pm - after both sides finished bottom of their qualifier groups.
Westmeath manager Seamus Qualter will have to shuffle his half-back line for the tie after McCormack tore his cruciate knee ligaments right at the end of the defeat to Galway last Saturday.
The 27-year-old, who plays for the Castlepollard club, will be sidelined for remainder of the season.
Qualter said: 'Darren is a big loss to us and it is terribly unfortunate for something like this to happen.'
McCormack had an influential role when the sides last met in May - Westmeath ended the Dubs' Leinster SHC campaign with a 0-13 to 0-11 defeat.
Westmeath lowered Dublin's colours in the championship for the first time since 1982 as McCormack and his defence kept their opponents to just four points from play. Dublin wing-back Tommy Moore was also sent off for his second bookable offence in the closing stages - a high challenge on McCormack.
