Tata Martino dealt huge injury blow after Inter Miami's win over Nashville SC

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has been dealt a huge injury blow to his squad after Diego Gomez suffered an ankle injury against Nashville SC.

The 21-year-old sustained the injury in the first half of play against the Coyotes and was stretchered off the pitch in tears. Gomez -- who joined Miami last summer from Paraguayan outfit Libertad -- has enjoyed an excellent season, netting two goals and five assists in MLS action up until the injury.

"Gomez suffered a high-grade ankle sprain in the first half of Inter Miami’s win over Nashville SC on Saturday. He has begun the recovery process and is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks," the club said in a release.

It's the latest injury for Martino to try and navigate around, as the former Mexico national team boss now has a staggering nine players unavailable for selection due to injuries. The likes of Robert Taylor, Serhiy Kryvstov, Leo Campana and Federico Redondo are all expected to take the field again by the middle of next month, while Facundo Farias is set to miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL during preseason.

Although Gomez's injury isn't as bad as many thought it was going to be, it still leaves Martino short up front since the Paraguay international was able to play both as a midfielder and a winger. Miami's fit attacking options as of right now are: 36-year-old Lionel Messi, 37-year-old Luis Suarez, up--and-coming youngster Leo Afonso and Shanyder Borgelin.

To make matters worse, the Herons will also be without veteran full-back Jordi Alba for the next six weeks after he picked up a hamstring injury. Franco Negri will get an extended run in the starting lineup in the meantime.

Miami, sitting atop the Eastern Conference table with 18 points, return to action this Saturday to take on New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.