Blackburn have lost a High Court battle to win £4m damages from an insurance company over striker Martin Dahlin's career-ending back injury in 1997.
Injuries prevented Dahlin having much impact at Blackburn
Avon Insurance refused to pay out, blaming the injury on an existing problem, but in 2004 Rovers successfully challenged that in court.
Last year the Court of Appeal ruled "wear and tear" could be considered a contributory factor in an injury claim.
Now another judge says he "probably" had a pre-existing condition.
Dahlin, who won 60 caps for Sweden, scored four goals in 26 appearances for Rovers before suffering the injury in a practice match in 1997.
After leaving Blackburn Dahlin had a brief spell with Hamburg, but rarely played, and he finally retired in 1999.