McInnes rocked by McKenna blow

DEREK McINNES admits he is shocked at the news that his star defender, Scott McKenna, could miss the rest of the season, a major blow not only for Aberdeen but for Scotland’s bid to negotiate a path into the Euro Championship finals.

The 23-year-old centre-back, whose performances have attracted interest from a range of English Championship clubs, pulled up with a hamstring problem during Saturday night’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal win against St Mirren in Paisley with his manager fearing it might sideline him for the next four fixtures.

But bad news turned worse with a report that the player’s season is likely to be over and McInnes stating: “We weren’t anticipating this.”

The Granite City men, who will attempt 14th successive game against Kilmarnock without defeat, are likely to have Mikey Devlin alongside Ash Taylor at the heart of their defence at Rugby Park tonight with McInnes recognising he is light on personnel in that position. McInnes said: “The injury almost mirrors Funso Ojo’s injury that he suffered against St Johnstone at the start of September. Both got a nudge in the back which disrupted their running pattern.

“Scott was running quickly and turned to get in his stride and that little nudge and step has caused that impact.

“It is quite an unusual injury and to have it to two different players in the one season is pretty tough to take, not just for us but Scott as well.

“The physios are saying he’ll be out for three to four months. Scott has been a good healer in the past and we are trying not to make it a definitive that he is out for the season”