Rising Down football star Anto McArdle is facing a race against time to be fit for the Ulster SFC opener against Fermanagh on June 3 after suffering a groin muscle injury on Wednesday.

McArdle picked up the injury in Burren's league game against Clonduff and is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks.

"This is a big setback for Anto. He had been reproducing his best form with Burren and would surely have been another selection option against Fermanagh. The hope is he will make a speedy recovery and be available of the rest of our involvement in the championship," a Down source told the Belfast Telegraph.

McArdle was in the news earlier this year when he was suspended for six months, only to have it overturned on appeal. He was hit with the controversial ban by Down's CCC after making a late substitute appearance for his club Burren against St. Mary's in an U21 championship match - a week after he was controversially sent off in Burren's AIB Ulster club final defeat to Crossmaglen Rangers.

Despite contending that he had been incorrectly advised by his club that he was eligible to play in the U21 game, his appeal was thrown out by the Ulster Council in January. However, following a recommendation by the Central Hearings Committee, his suspension was lifted by Central Council. Tweet

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