CAPTAIN FACES MORE TIME ON SIDELINES

Much-troubled Saints captain Kevin James is facing another spell on the sidelines after undergoing a minor knee operation yesterday.

Having completed a full pre-season and started the season in the heart of the team, the central defender appeared to have put his injury woes behind him but the knee which has has given him problems before flared up during Saturday’s match against Dunfermline and although he was able to complete the 90 minutes, the couple of days which followed made him realise all was not well.

Manager Derek McInnes takes up the story: “There was no swelling on Sunday so he didn’t think there was anything significantly wrong but by Tuesday the knee had stiffened up and we sent him to the surgeon, who agreed to operate straight away.

“He had his knee scoped and it showed a cartilage tear and a possibly a bit of cartilage floating around the joint which has now been attended to. It’s disappointing for everyone, particularly Kevin – the best case scenario is that he’ll be out three weeks but worst case is five to six weeks.”

However, while disappointed, the manager is keen to emphasise that the captain’s latest set-back opens doors for others.

“Steven Anderson and Stuart McCaffrey both played 90 minutes in a closed door game at Ayr on Monday so they can stake a claim to take Kevin’s place” says Derek who was also able to watch goalkeeper Alan Main get a full 90 minutes under his belt.

Martin Hardie has trained fully on Tuesday and Wednesday and will be available for Staurday’s trip to Firhill.

Meanwhile, Euan McLean was an unused substitute for Scotland Under 21s in their 3-0 win in Lithuania yesterday afternoon.