Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Wighton nears training return
CRAIG Wighton is set to give Dundee a welcome New Year boost as he closes on a return from a knee injury.
The Dark Blues favourite damaged his cruciate ligament on the eve of the campaign and it was feared he would be out for the entire season.
However, the Scotland U/21 i n t e r n a t i o n a l ’s recovery has gone well and he’s nearing a return to light training.
The 20-year-old has been running using an AlterG “anti-gravity” treadmill that helps reduce the stress put on the injured knee while recovering.
I t ’s too early for a timescale to be put on a first-team return but it’s hoped he’ll be back i n training before the end of the year.
Although he’s yet t o really realise his goalscoring potential in the top flight, a fit Wighton would be a boost to the Dundee frontline.
A-Jay Leitch-Smith is the cl u b ’s leading league goalscorer with four but his loan deal from Shrewsbury Town ends in January.
Below that is Faissal El Bakhtaoui on two goals and Sofien Moussa and Marcus Haber with just one apiece.
Winger Roarie Deacon has one to his name also, a cracker against Aberdeen, so Wighton’s return would be a welcome increase in goal threat for Neil McCann’s men.
Another Dundee player who will be back available in January i s midfielder Nicky Low.
His loan deal at Derry City came to an end at the close of the Irish season
Boss McCann said: “Nicky Low can’t play until January because of the rules.
“We’ve spoken about him coming back i n but I thought he could enjoy a break away from it, he’s had a long season, and then we’ll see what happens after that.”