The Oldham Athletic manager saw his side lose their unbeaten away record at his former club Crystal Palace, as the Londoners progressed in the Worthington Cup.
"Whether we won or lost, that's a hammer blow to us," complained Dowie, who is hoping to guide the Lancashire outfit into Division One.
"Everything's tinged with a lot of sadness and I just hope his recovery is as quick as it can be."
The former Tranmere Rovers defender suffered the injury whilst trying to block a cross during his side's 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park.
