Down manager James McCartan gave an update on the midfielder's fitness when speaking at his side's All-Ireland semi-final media briefing.

"Rogers is scheduled to meet a specialist later this week and to be honest we are not expecting good news," admitted McCartan.

"Obviously Ambrose is very important to us, and yes there is the possibility that you can tear on and take a chance.

"I suppose if you look at the Dermot Earley type situation. Dermot is 32 and is near the end of a very good playing career. He was an outstanding player and he sees this as one of his last chances.

"Ambrose is a lot younger, and maybe putting the rest of his career at risk if he were to continue playing."

However, McCartan stressed that no final call has yet been made on whether or not Rogers will participate in the semi-final showdown.

"We won't make a final decision until he has seen a specialist this week.

"We'll know more from then on. At the present moment though we are certainly preparing without him."

Should Rogers not recover in time, McCartan may opt to move Dan Gordon from full-forward to his more regular midfield berth.

McCartan also has the option of switching James Colgan from defence to centre-field, while Peter Fitzpatrick will hope to be drafted into Down's starting line-up.

The Down boss agreed that there are a range of options open to him if required, but he is keeping his cards close to his chest on the matter.

"We have quite a few options and we have looked at them all carefully," he added.

"The obvious ones are Peter Fitzpatrick and Dan Gordon, but there are other people who have played in midfield before and have been showing encouraging signs. There are certainly guys pushing (hard for a place)."