International break comes at good time as injuries pile up for Dundee

DUNDEE boss Tony Docherty hopes the international break can ease his injury worries after revealing the absentee list had grown ahead of last weekend’s clash with Rangers.

The two sides were due to face off on Sunday lunchtime only for a waterlogged pitch to see the game postponed.

That leaves the Dark Blues with four matches still to play before the Premiership splits.

They sit two points behind Hibs in the race for a top-six finish.

And Docherty is hoping by the time they face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park next weekend, he’ll have more options to choose from.

The Dark Blues were missing seven players for the win over Aberdeen last midweek.

Owen Beck, Trevor Carson, Zach Robinson, Josh Mulligan, Jordan McGhee, Diego Pineda and Ryan Howley were all absent.

And the Dens boss says his front pairing for that Dons win were also struggling for the Rangers clash.

“We had a lot of injuries on top of Beck and Josh Mulligan, who is also out for a few weeks,” Docherty said. “Curtis Main wasn’t in the line-up, Scott Tiffoney is carrying a knock and Trevor Carson is, too.

“We already have Jordan McGhee, Zach Robinson and Diego Pineda out, so it’s the biggest injury list I’ve had since I came here.

“Hopefully, the international break gives us a chance to work on them and get some of them back for the St Johnstone game.

“So as much as you want games coming thick and fast when you are in good form, this is an opportunity to freshen it up.

“We have four massive games before the split now, so we will

need everyone who is available. I keep saying that it’s just about accumulating points and game by game, get enough points to make sure we are staying in the league.

“So all my focus is on the St Johnstone game now.”

Part of that is keeping the players who are fit match-sharp.

With the Rangers game called off and an international break, it will be two-and-a-half weeks without a game by the time the Saints fixture comes around.

And Docherty has moved to counter that.

He added: “We have a bounce game against Hearts at Tynecastle this midweek because I don’t want the lads to have too much between their games.

“We want to be in the best shape for the St Johnstone game, get as many back from injury as we can and get minutes into others.

“We need the players to be game-ready for when the league starts again. After the Hearts

game, they will get a little bit of time off.”

Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan and Dundee United winger Kai Fotheringham have both dropped out of the Scotland U-21 squad.

The duo were selected in Scot Gemmill’s group for the Euro 2025 qualifier against

Kazakhstan in Paisley tomorrow evening.

However, the Scottish FA confirmed their withdrawal, along with Queen’s Park on-loan Celtic kid Ben McPherson.

Mulligan will be absent for around a month due to a hamstring strain.

United, meanwhile, expect to have Fotheringham available for Saturday’s visit of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Championship.

Dee marksman Michael Mellon, midfielder Lyall Cameron and Tannadice No 2 goalkeeper Jack Newman remain part of the squad for the clash at St Mirren’s SMiSA Stadium.

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson has been absent for Dundee. Curtis Main wouldn’t have faced Rangers last weekend.

ACTION: Docherty has arranged a game with Hearts this week.