POSITIVES FOR MANAGER BUT INJURIES MOUNT UP

As the build-up to tomorrow night’s Co-operative Insurance Cup second round tie at home to Morton continues, Derek McInnes was this morning picking the positives from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat from Aberdeen.

“We defended well for the majority of the game and I thought we denied their better players the space to operate effectively.

“I thought Alan Maybury had a very sound debut, particularly given his lack of recent match action, and showed what he will bring to the squad in the months ahead.”

However, the Manager was aware of the shortcomings of the performance against the Dons.

“We didn’t pose enough threat as a team and we need to start offering more in an attacking sense and I would be saying these things regardless of the outcome of the game. We need to improve, of that there is no question.”

The manager’s plans ahead of tomorrow’s cup tie against Morton and Saturday’s next SPL match away to Rangers on Saturday are not being helped by a mounting injury list.

Liam Craig looks set to miss four to five weeks with the hamstring injury which caused him to pull-up in the first half of Saturday’s game and Jody Morris will miss tomorrow’s match and is already in the doubtful category for Ibrox, also with a hamstring problem although it is not as serious as Liam’s.

In addition, Derek revealed that goalkeeper Peter Enckelman may also miss the encounter with Morton due to a thigh strain although it is hoped that the rest will allow him to face the SPL champions at Ibrox.

PHOTO: Liam Craig is helped off the pitch on Saturday – he looks set to be sidelined for four to five weeks.