Aberdeen FC are in the grip of a defensive injury crisis ahead of a critical week featuring a home league match and a cup semi-final. Manager Stephen Robinson confirmed centre-half Lewis Mayo will be out for at least two months with a foot stress fracture, while Dutch defender Mats Knoester is unlikely to feature after suffering a thigh injury in training. The crisis comes as the club sits 9th in the Premiership with 11 points from ten games, a record of three wins and two draws.

Mayo's long-term absence and Knoester's immediate unavailability, alongside the suspension of Dan Happe for Saturday's match, leave Robinson scrambling for options. The manager said Knoester must see a specialist. "We’ve had scans, and he’ll go to a specialist for a follow-up consultation," Robinson explained.

Squad reinforcements returning

Some relief comes with several players returning to fitness. Happe has resumed training after illness, as have Findlay Marshall and Tony Yogane. There is also a potential boost from Kristers Tobers, who is nearing a return after a year out with a knee injury and could be considered for the substitutes' bench.

These absences compound the pressure on a squad whose recent form has been inconsistent. Their last result was a 3-2 defeat away to Dundee United on Saturday 24 October, a match where they conceded three times. Over their last five games, their form reads two wins, one draw and two losses. The team has scored 12 goals this season but conceded 13, leaving them with a negative goal difference. They now face a quick turnaround with their next fixture at home to Falkirk on Wednesday 28 October, with Falkirk currently 7th in the table. The side is also 16 points behind league leaders Celtic in the title race.

Manager Robinson will be acutely aware of the need to manage his limited resources across two games in four days. The immediate focus is on handling the Falkirk clash before the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden on Saturday. With a threadbare defence, Robinson's selections for both matches will be closely watched by supporters checking the latest squad news. The club's top scorer this season, Kevin Nisbet with four goals, will be relied upon to provide a threat at the other end.

This story first appeared at heraldscotland.com