Struggling Al Jazira were dealt a huge blow to their chances of turning a faltering season around on Wednesday as star Montenegran striker Mirko Vucinic was ruled out for the rest of their 2015-16 campaign with cruciate ligament damage.

The club announced the news via their official Twitter and Instagram pages but are yet to confirm how Vucinic picked up the injury or which leg has been injured.

A pivotal part of their title tilt last season – which ultimately ended in a third-place finish – Vucinic has so far been unable to replicate his devastating form of last season which saw him score 25 goals in 23 matches.

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His stunning return last year saw Vucinic end the season as the AGL top-scorer in just his first season since moving from Juventus.

This time around, however, Vucinic has managed just two goals in six AGL games as Jazira have struggled to fulfil expectations that have risen from their vast expense in the transfer market and the reappointment of Abel Braga as manager.

Jazira currently sit 10th in the table ahead of their match against third-placed Al Nasr on Sunday knowing that they need to get their act together quickly if they are to turn their season around.

Without Vucinic in their side, that task just got a whole lot tougher, with Braga’s men finding life difficult in front of goal.

It is a rare concern for the typically free scoring Abu Dhabi outfit, last season’s 16-goal UAE star Ali Mabkhout also short on goals alongside Vucinic with just one to show from his six league outings this season.

Emirati youngsters Ahmed Al Ghilani and Ahmed Al Attas – both 20-years-old – will be looking to make the most of Vucinic’s injury, while the news may also force Jazira’s hand in the January transfer market to find a temporary replacement.