Jesse Kirkland, the Robin Hood striker, is in a race against time to make the last two matches of his side’s promotion push after injuring his shoulder last weekend.

The club’s talisman suffered a minor separation of his left shoulder in a tackle in the 31st minute of Hood’s 2-1 win over Devonshire Colts on Sunday, resulting in him being substituted.

Although surgery was not required, Kirkland, who represented Bermuda in sailing at the London Olympics in 2012, will be out at least two weeks. His absence could not have come at a worse time for a Hood team who have so much to play for. They are pushing for promotion and are also in the FA Cup semi-finals against Dandy Town.

“I’d say it’s 50-50 that I’m back for the end of the campaign,” said Kirkland, whose diagnosis was confirmed by a scan at the hospital. “I really hope to be back for our last two league games, but I’ll have to wait and see how my shoulder heals.

“I would guess I’m out anywhere from three to four weeks, but I’m really hoping it’s only two. My shoulder was a minor shoulder separation, so fortunately didn’t require surgery.”

Kirkland has scored 13 goals in the league for the First Division leaders, but will have to sit out the potential promotion-clincher on Sunday when Hood make the trek to Wellington Oval to take on St George’s Colts, who are two points behind in second.

A win would clinch promotion for Hood, who have a seven-point gap over third-placed Devonshire Colts with nine points to play for. If Hood come unstuck against St George’s, promotion should be assured with victory over either BAA Wanderers or Ireland Island Rangers in their last two matches.

While he is aiming to be available for the BAA match at Goose Gosling Field in ten days’ time, Kirkland confirmed that he is certain to miss the Cup semi-final on March 23.

“I’m unfortunately off island for a wedding during the FA Cup weekend,” he said. “I’m obviously pretty disappointed I won’t be able to help Hood against Town, as I’d love to play a Premier Division side.

“With that being said, I have plenty of faith in our team to get a result. I’d love to be back to finish off the last two league games.”

Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, admitted after Sunday’s match that missing Kirkland for the rest of the season. would be a big blow for the team. “It is a concern with Jesse because we need him for our remaining league matches and we are still in the FA Cup,” Lightbourne said. “You cannot miss a player like that for too long.”