DUNDEE CAPTAIN Stephen O’Donnell has spoken of his “devastation” over his season-ending knee injury.
He tore his cruciate ligament in the derby against St Johnstone last week and is now set to have surgery.
He will be forced to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines as the Dark Blues battle to stay in the SPL and is another blow for the player who had only recently returned to action after being out since August with a groin problem.
O’Donnell said: “I’m absolutely devastated. That’s the only way to describe how I’m feeling just now.
“I thought all my injury worries were behind me when I made my comeback against Celtic on Boxing Day.
“I was really raring to go in the second half of the season, but then this happens and it’s just floored me.”
He added: “It’s been a nightmare season for me personally after firstly being out since August and now this latest setback.
“It’s so frustrating that I won’t be able to help the lads on the park, but that’s just football for you at times.”
Following his operation, O’Donnell will again be confined to the role of spectator, cheering on his team-mates from the sidelines and he is certain the club have the players with the right never-say-die attitude to keep Dundee in Scottish football’s top tier.
He added: “We have an amazing team spirit here. We are a close-knit bunch of players who are all pulling in the same direction.
“We’re all 100% focused on keeping the club in the SPL, and if attitude and commitment is anything to go by we’ll be in with a right fighting chance.
“It’s still early days and there’s lots of football to be played between now and the end of the season.
“I’m just bitterly disappointed that I won’t be able to play my part, but I’ll be kicking every ball with the boys.”
nrobertson@thecourier.co.uk