ABERDEEN manager Mark McGhee has had his early-week fears realised, as he found out that injured defender Zander Diamond is likely to be out until Christmas.
Centre-back Diamond will have surgery on a troublesome foot injury tomorrow, and McGhee confirmed it’s likely to be six weeks before the defender can resume training.
On Monday, the Dons boss stated that the charismatic defender is "nowhere near" the first team, but couldn't give an approximate date for his return.
But now, the gaffer is preparing for Diamond being unavailable for selection until at least mid-December.
McGhee said: “It could be nearer to Christmas before Zander is fully match fit.”
The fiery centre-back had ankle surgery in the summer in an attempt to put an end to two years of on-and-off injury problems.
But the 24-year-old, who has attempted two comebacks in the last seven months, is currently unable to train, and last week the club took the decision to book him in for further surgery in order to fix the problem.
McGhee will now be even more desperate for defender Jerel Ifil to be fit to return from a hamstring strain for the visit of Hearts on October 17th.
