Image source, SNSDefender Ryan Leak has suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, Ross County have confirmed.
The 26-year-old centre-back, who sustained the injury in Thursday's win at Aberdeen, has played in 16 of County's 22 league games this season.
"Ryan will undergo an operation this week to begin his recovery," the club say in a statement.
"Everyone at the club wishes Ryan the very best with his recovery," they add.
Image source, SNSNoah Chilvers has assisted four goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.
Ross County have scored in their last six games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of 11 games from 11 December 2021 to 9 February 2022.
Kilmarnock have failed to score in eight of their 22 games, only Ross County (nine) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.
Ross County are undefeated in their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 15 May 2024 to 10 August 2024.
Highlights: Kilmarnock 0-1 Ross County
Ross County strike late to take all three points against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership (UK only).
George Harmon's 86th-minute strike gave Ross County their third win in four Scottish Premiership games as they beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
County now rise up to ninth, leapfrogging Kilmarnock who drop to 10th.
What did you make of that, County fans? Was it a deserved victory?
Are you still thinking about relegation, or are you dreaming of the top six?
Image source, SNSRoss County's Don Cowie told BBC Scotland: "Incredible, really. We were in a really poor run away from home, it's been well documented. It was about us as a team coming together, the staff and the players, to correct that.
"We've done it very well. Three away performances, three victories, the first time in the club's history in the Premiership. Really proud of the group.
"Going into the game, and at half-time as well, we told the group to do the difficult things, stand up to Kilmarnock, we did that throughout the game. We could have been tidier in the final third, but we got one moment of quality.
"It was a really good passage of play, Noah Chilvers shows good composure, and George Harmon arrives right on the spot with a great finish.
"It gives us belief and confidence. We know what we've got in the group. We're at the bare bones today, we've got seven players out injured, but we've rallied together in an intense period of time."
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSWhen Ross County lost to St Mirren a little over two weeks ago they dropped to 11th in the league table, one point above St Johnstone. They were key contenders for relegation, and not many would have argued with it.
Just four games later, they're suddenly knocking on the door of the top six - just two points off sixth-placed St Mirren - and have left the Saints in the dust.
Of course, there is a long way to go and Cowie and his staff won't be counting their chickens for a long time yet, but this little run of form has made automatic relegation look very unlikely.
It's a run that they could only have dreamt of two weeks ago, with an away win still eluding them at that point. They now have won three Premiership away games in a row for the very first time in the club's existence.
Not only an impressive run, but a historic one.
Image source, SNSNoah Chilvers. Another assist for County's key man, whose emergence as the Staggies biggest influence has coincided with their upturn in form. No coincidence, that.
Connor Randall also put in a real captain's shift, while Kacper Lopata put his body on the line countless times.
Ross County want to sign Watford goalkeeper Myles Roberts, who is on loan at Partick Thistle. (Daily Record), external
Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock's Marley Watkins and Ross County's Ryan Leak hope to be fit
Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell was taken to hospital with a shin injury after the new-year win over St Mirren.
But fellow forward Marley Watkins is expected to return and winger Danny Armstrong is back from suspension.
Matty Kennedy is battling a back problem, while Stuart Findlay is a long-term absentee.
Ross County will check on the fitness of Michee Efete and Ryan Leak after the defenders went off injured in Thursday's win at Aberdeen.
On-loan midfielder Aidan Denholm is back at parent club Hearts to have a hamstring injury assessed, while Eli Campbell, Ross Laidlaw, Will Nightingale and Alex Samuel miss out.
Image source, SNSKilmarnock have only lost one of their last nine Scottish Premiership home games against Ross County (W6 D2), going down 0-1 in September 2023.
After their 2-1 victory in October, Ross County are looking for back-to-back wins over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since September 2017.
Kilmarnock have won each of their last three home league matches, last winning more in a row in the top-flight in January 2019 (run of five) under Steve Clarke.
Ross County have won both of their last two away league outings, as many as their previous 31 on the road beforehand (W2 D9 L20). Never before in their top-flight history have they enjoyed three away wins in a row.
Kilmarnock's Bruce Anderson has scored seven Scottish Premiership goals against Ross County – his most against a single opponent.
Image source, SNSAidan Denholm's loan spell with Ross County has ended after the midfielder suffered an injury during the Dingwall side's Boxing Day win against Dundee.
The 21-year-old now returns to parent club Hearts to undergo rehab as he attempts to "return to action this season".
Denholm made 17 appearances in all competitions for County and contributed two assists.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Wright stunner for County at Aberdeen
Akil Wright revelled in his wonder goal and insisted Ross County should be targeting the top six this season rather than merely staying in the Premiership.
The defender sent a stunning 25-yard volley into the top corner at Pittodrie to set Don Cowie's men on their way to a second successive away win.
County, now unbeaten in three games, occupy 10th spot but are just five points off sixth-place Motherwell in a congested table.
"Yeah, no reason at all," said Wright.
"We believe in ourselves, we have done well in the last three games and we have kept that confidence.
"Winning is always going to give you that extra bit of confidence going into the next one so there is no reason why we can't look up rather than down.
"But there are lot of teams around that mix so it is about picking up points as best you can and hopefully come the end of the season we are in a good position."
Wright admits he's never likely to better his sensational strike against the Dons.
"I will never do that again I don't think," he added.
"I took probably the perfect touch and once I hit it I knew it had a chance and thankfully it has gone in. Just watching it go in was the best feeling."
We asked for your views on Ross County's 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Here's what some of you said:
Rick: After 14 months of away pain, two wins from two, outstanding and worth the frostbite!
Shaun: Great team performance and a terrific win over the Dons. Every single County player delivered, it was brilliant to see. Strong debut from Nohan Kenneh, pleased to see him back. Hero of the day must be Akil Wright - what an unbelievable strike! He has been a great signing.
Ian: Cracking first half. Just a poor free-kick to give in the dying minutes of the first half. Second half Aberdeen were the better team but some dink and some strong defending from the team. What a turnaround by Don Cowie and the team.
Roger: Seems if somehow County could get a couple of good players in, with Cowie at the helm, a move up the table could definitely be on.
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Akil Wright: Goal of the year 2025 has already been won by the 28-year-old defender who got it oh so right against Aberdeen.
Noah Chilvers: A beautiful fluke of a goal to win it at Pittodrie. The midfielder exemplified County's industry and increasing confidence on the road.
Watch the best of the action from Pittodrie as a stunning strike from Akil Wright helps Ross County to a 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at snowy Pittodrie.
(Available to UK users only)
Image source, SNSRoss County have beaten Aberdeen for the first time in the Premiership since 9 April 2022, a run of eight games without a win.
Aberdeen have lost their last four games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 24 February 2024 to 13 March 2024.
Ross County are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 26 October 2024 to 2 November 2024.
Aberdeen have scored in 17 of their 20 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.
Noah Chilvers has assisted 3 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Ross County player.
Kevin Nisbet attempted 8 shots in this game, the highest total for a Aberdeen player in the Premiership this season.
Aberdeen's winless run extended to nine games as Ross County recorded their second Scottish Premiership away victory in a row.
County remain 10th but move seven points away from the bottom spot, while Aberdeen stay third.
What did you make of that, County fans? Who impressed you in the win at Pittodrie?
Has the last few weeks given you confidence? Let us know your thoughts here, external.
Image source, SNSRoss County assistant manager Carl Tremarco told BBC Scotland: "Back to back away wins is very pleasing considering how long we waited to get them. The boys are pleased.
"The first half we were good, we were really disappointed to come in at 1-1. But it was a test of character. It was a carbon copy of Hibs away and it was a challenge to the boys to go out second half, to not succumb to the pressure we knew we'd be under. We'd have to ride our luck at times and we did it. We deserved it.
"One absolute cracker, I'm not sure about the second! We know [Noah] Chilvers has that quality. When he's one on one in the penalty area, boys are scared to make contact. Whether he's meant it or not, he showed quality.
"It was always going to be a tough period. Seven out of nine is a strong turnaround from us and we go into every game with confidence. We won't get carried away. We'll enjoy it for an hour or so."
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCounty's first-half display was largely superb and while Akil Wright's strike - a goal of the season contender - was unusual in how it arrived, it was no less than they deserved.
Amissah's mistake was unfortunate. The ball skidded along the surface in the snow, while it was genuinely hard to see the ball at times given the strength of the blizzard at Pittodrie.
He was incredible in the second-half though, and any fears over where the future of the County gloves lie were answered in his remaining performance.
Last season, County relied on the occasional magic of Yan Dhanda and this season they have Chilvers to depend upon. It's taken him a few months to find his feet but he is a dangerous player who cannot be given an inch by the opposition.
More importantly, they continued on the confident performance they showed against Dundee a week ago. To win consecutive away games after 15 months without shows incredible resilience.
Image source, SNS(Left to right) Kacper Lopata, Akil Wright and Noah Chilvers
Akil Wright. Could have gone to either of the goalscorers, but let's give it to Wright for scoring perhaps the goal of his career.
Weirdly, Jordan Amissah was also in contention. After conceding a calamitous equaliser, he produced three saves in the second-half that stopped certain goals.
Amissah made amends in a big way.
