Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong is facing another fortnight on the sidelines.
The midfielder missed United’s home win over Ross County on Saturday because of the ankle injury he suffered in the heavy defeat to Celtic, and he is certain to be absent again when the Tangerines travel west to face St Mirren this weekend.
His injury also places a big question mark over his involvement with the Scotland under-21s.
The young lions’ captain was named in boss Billy Stark’s squad for the away double header in Slovakia on September 4 and Luxembourg four days later.
However, if his club think he still needs time to recover then he is unlikely to travel.
Tannadice coach Darren Jackson said: “Stuart is coming along nicely but while we are not sure how long he will be out for I would think it will be a couple of weeks.
“We have had to wait on the swelling going down before getting a proper look at the ankle and there is a lot of bruising there.
“It was a block tackle on him during the Celtic game that did the damage and he was caught pretty badly.”
United have also had to do without their club captain Sean Dillon, who is recovering after surgery on a fractured cheekbone.
Jackson said: “Sean has been recovering really well but the problem for him is that he can’t do any contact training because we have to be cautious.
“He can’t even play a wee game because something could happen like him getting hit in the face with the ball. You have to watch what you are doing.”
Meanwhile, as delighted as the United management team are with taking nine points out of a possible 12 they feel there is room for improvement.
Jackson said: “We are over the moon with nine points out of 12 but I still don’t think we have hit form yet.
“On Saturday we had nine shots on target, nine shots off target and had more possession in the game (than Ross County) so maybe I am being a little bit critical.
“It’s just that we know the standards these players can reach.
“To go up to Aberdeen and win 3-0 you have to play well as a team but I still think we can play better.
“It’s not that I am saying we are playing badly, it’s not that. Rather, it’s just that I really feel there is more to come from the boys.”
Jackson acknowledged that to bounce back with a victory after their Celtic Park shocker was to the players’ credit.
He said: “The Celtic result was a disaster. As the manager said, it was embarrassing. I do think the players were embarrassed.
“Against County, though, their attitude was fantastic and they deserve credit for going out and winning the game.
“The attacking mindest was summed up by County’s goal for me because I think we had everybody in their box apart from the two centre-halves and County broke away and equalised.
“Perhaps that was being a wee bit naive but it does show the boys have deseire to go and win games.”