Dundee boss Paul Hartley has been dealt a major blow ahead of tomorrow’s game at Hamilton with the news that three key players have been ruled out through injury.
Skipper Kevin Thomson suffered a hamstring strain against Inverness last Saturday and he will be joined on the sidelines by striker Greg Stewart who suffered knee and foot knocks in the same game.
Paul McGowan began running again this week but will not be ready in time for the Accies clash while the Dark Blues are still without long-term absentees Kyle Letheren and Peter MacDonald.
All of which means Hartley’s squad will be down to the bare bones tomorrow.
The manager whose plans to train on Forfar’s artificial pitch yesterday in preparation for the trip to Hamilton were scuppered because of bad weather said: “The game will come too soon for Thommo and Greg. They will probably miss just the one match.
“Thommo’s is a slight strain and it’s Greg’s foot rather than his knee which is really tender.
“We thought McGowan would have a wee chance but he is probably another week away.
“Greg has become a very important player for us. He has done really well since coming from Cowdenbeath with his goals and overall play.
“He gives us a different dimension, he is left-sided and can play in a number of positions.
“So he will be a big miss for us.
“But it is up to other guys to go and push for a place in the team.
“We have worked on a few things this week and we may need to tinker with a couple of positions.
“We are probably down to the bare bones in terms of the bench also.”
One player who could play a part against Hamilton is striker Craig Wighton.
The teenager has recently recovered from an injury picked up while on Scotland duty and he impressed the manager during Tuesday’s Under-20 game against Rangers at Gayfield which had to be abandoned at half-time because of the gale-force conditions.
Hartley said: “Craig played 45 minutes on Tuesday before the game was abandoned and looked really sharp.
“It was his first run-out for a while but he is very much in my thoughts and plans for Saturday.”
Hartley has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his squad in January and he is currently running the rule over two unnamed players from Bulgaria.
He said: “We are having a look at a couple of trialists, a centre-half and a left-sided player. We will see how it goes.
“You are getting names thrown at you all the time and we just thought we would have a look at them.
“They have done OK so far so we will assess them over the next day or two and then take it from there.”
Dundee suffered last-gasp heartache last week when Caley sub Ryan Christie scored what proved to be the winner for John Hughes’ side in the 88th minute.
It was a bitter blow but one Hartley confidently expects his players to bounce back from.
He said: “We have a really good group of players and the spirit is terrific.
“They were as disappointed as I was last week.
“We are in for a tough game on Saturday but we are ready for it.
“I think Hamilton play good football.
“They have shown in the games I have watched them that they have some talented footballers.
“They have a good blend of youth and experience. On their day, they are a very good team to watch.”