Aberdeen suffer blow with Jamie McGrath ruled out for ‘two or three months’

Aberdeen have suffered a fresh injury blow after midfielder Jamie McGrath was ruled out for “two or three months” with shoulder damage.

Dons boss Jimmy Thelin, who recently lost striker Ester Sokler and defender Gavin Molloy to long-term lay-offs, also revealed that Dante Polvara sustained a leg injury in the Scottish Cup win at Elgin last weekend and was unsure how long the American midfielder would be absent.

McGrath, a key man in Aberdeen’s strong start to the season, suffered his injury after coming on as a substitute in the home draw with Hearts a week past Sunday. Molloy, coincidentally, was also struck down with a shoulder issue.

“Yes, it is, of course (a blow),” said Thelin of the loss of McGrath. “He’s really good at helping us to create chances and he’s a multifunctional player, he can play in different positions, he’s always giving everything.

“Sometimes you have some consistent pattern injuries, but now we have these shoulder injuries, it’s really bad luck.

“Actually, we tried to save Jamie because of his legs (by starting him on the bench against Hearts) and then he fell and broke his shoulder instead in that game.

“You always want every player available, but it’s also for the individual player himself.

“He’ll be out of the team for two or three months and Gavin the same, and we have to be there to support them. But they are positive guys and they’re doing the best they can do.”

Asked about Polvara’s injury, Thelin – who welcomes left-back Jack MacKenzie back from injury for Saturday’s match at home to St Mirren – said: “He’s had some small setbacks in his legs, so let’s see how long it will take.”

Thelin has been able to replenish his squad with the addition of winger Jeppe Okkels and defensive trio Kristers Tobers, Alfie Dorrington and Alexander Jensen this month.

The manager, who refused to be drawn on the prospect of further arrivals, was pleased to have had a full midweek without a game to allow his four recent recruits some breathing space to bed themselves in.

“If you think about it, there were three games for one week and especially Kristers Tobers was playing a lot of minutes,” said Thelin of the Latvia defender’s intense baptism.

“It’s not easy for anyone, but he did it really well. He understands how to manage his body and how he can spare some energy in some moments inside the games.

“Even Alexander did really well and Alfie is performing better and better in training.

“It’s good to have more players with a good fitness level and no injuries and bring up intensity in the training, and hopefully also help us inside the games.”

Thelin is hopeful that last weekend’s 3-0 Scottish Cup victory at Elgin can help his side regain their form in the William Hill Premiership after a run of 12 league games without a win.

“I think we can be a more stable team now,” he said. “We have worked a lot this week to take the positive things from the cup game, put more focus on these things and trying to do these things properly tomorrow.”