Dundee boss Jim McIntyre has suffered a big blow with striker Benji Kallman set to go under the knife later this week.
The 20-year-old Finnish front man damaged a cartilage in his knee during the draw with St Mirren at Dens two Saturdays ago.
Kallman had formed what looked like the beginnings of a promising partnership with Kenny Miller during that game.
However, it has now been confirmed that he needs an operation and could be out for up to a month.
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McIntyre said: “Benji Kallman has done his meniscus.
“He needs a wee tidy-up and he will have an operation on Thursday.
“It is a big blow for us as I thought he did very well with Kenny in the last game.
“He won’t be out for long – three to four weeks max.
“If it was two weeks further on, we would be looking at a really busy period but after the Hibs game on Saturday, we don’t play for 10 days.
“It is still not ideal timing but hopefully he will be back for the Rangers game (December 9).
“Benji is an extremely-hard worker and he is very good at unsettling defenders.
“He is a good boy with a great attitude. He is willing to listen and take things on board.”
McIntyre revealed there is more positive news regarding Andy Boyle who has been out since suffering a cut on his knee during the match at Motherwell at the start of this month along with Roarie Deacon (thigh).
He said: “Boyley is back in training.
“As I said, we had to wait because the cut was right on his kneecap.
“When it is like that, you just can’t bend it. If you bust your stitches, it can then take much longer to heal.
“It is not a case of just getting it re-stitched so he is fine.
“Roarie was back doing some light work last week but he returned to training today and completed the full session.
“There is no further news on Josh Meekings (hip). We are just waiting to see if the jab takes effect.”
Meanwhile, Dundee striker Cedwyn Scott’s loan spell at League 2 side Berwick Rangers has been cut short with the Borderers using the gap in their squad to sign Cameroon Under-23 international Alexandre Happi.
Scott joined the Shielfield men at the end of August and scored four times in eight outings however he didn’t feature in their 3-0 win at Elgin 10 days ago and it was mutually agreed that the 19-year-old would return to Dens Park.