Aberdeen FC face a severe defensive injury crisis that threatens their plans for the upcoming Premiership match against Falkirk. Manager Stephen Robinson confirmed that centre-halves Mats Knoester and Lewis Mayo are unavailable, stripping the squad of key options at the back.
Knoester, 27, suffered a thigh injury in training last Friday and missed the subsequent 3-2 league defeat to Dundee United. Robinson said the defender requires a specialist consultation. "Mats Knoester needs to go and see a specialist," the manager stated.
Mayo's absence is also long-term, with a stress fracture in his foot expected to rule him out for at least two months. The Dons, currently 9th in the league table with 11 points from 10 games, must now find solutions from a depleted group. Their recent form is a concern, having conceded 11 goals in their last five league matches, averaging 2.2 goals against per game in that difficult run. The team's overall record of three wins, two draws and five defeats leaves them 16 points adrift of Celtic at the top of the Premiership.
Squad availability
Further compounding the issue, several other players are battling illness. Dan Happe, who has been unwell, is back in training but remains suspended for Saturday's fixture. Findlay Marshall and Tony Yogane have also been floored by a virus, though both have recently returned to training. Midfielder Connor Ronan, who scored in the loss to Dundee United, will miss the next match and is due to see a specialist about a knee injury.
Returning players
There is a sliver of positive news as Kristers Tobers has returned to training after a year out with a knee injury. His potential availability offers a glimmer of hope for a backline that conceded three goals in their last outing, a 3-2 defeat at Tannadice where Nesta Guinness-Walker and Ronan found the net for Aberdeen. The team's goal minutes show a pattern of vulnerability, with 6 of the 11 goals conceded in their last five fixtures happening in the first half of matches.
Robinson's side must now prepare for a home game against 7th-placed Falkirk on Wednesday 28 October with their defensive resources stretched. The team has scored 12 and conceded 13 goals this season. The manager has plenty of options in forward and midfield areas, with Kevin Nisbet the club's top scorer this season on four goals, but the focus will be on patching up the defence. Aberdeen will assess Knoester's specialist consultation results before finalising their team for the key fixture.
This story first appeared at Not answerable
