Dark Blues dealt blow as O’Hara misses trip to Perth

Training injury rules out midfielder

Dundee have been dealt a big blow ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clash against St Johnstone in Perth with the news that Mark O’Hara will definitely miss the game and could require surgery.

The 20-year-old has been a revelation for the Dark Blues since his arrival at Dens from Kilmarnock in the summer.

Now though, the dynamic midfielder has picked up an injury in training with boss Paul Hartley fearing that he will require a hernia op.

The manager said: “Darren O’Dea is OK but Mark O’Hara is struggling. He’s got a problem with his groin and he’ll probably need a little tidy-up. We think he’s got a hernia.

“He felt it the last kick of the ball in training on Wednesday.

“He’s seen the physio and he’s going to have to go down to Leicester on Tuesday. If he needs it (an op) he’ll get it done down there. “He will then probably be out for three weeks. “Mark was good again last week against Hearts at Tynecastle and I’ve been pleased with how he’s performed for us at such a young age.

“It’s a big blow for us in terms of the energy he brings to the team but we’ve just got to use the squad as much as we can.

“We’ve got depth in that area. It’s a chance for somebody else to come in.”

Nicky Low will also miss the game at McDiarmid because of an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Hartley is set to make a decision in the next 24 hours on whether to offer a deal to former Saints striker Marcus Haber who has been training at Dens this week.

Picture: SNS Group. Mark O’Hara, who, the manager fears, might face three weeks on the sidelines if he needs a hernia operation.