YOUNG Dons star Peter Pawlett could be out for up to eight weeks after suffering an injury in the Aberdeen U19s' 6-1 win at the weekend.
The youngster landed awkwardly on his hand after about an hour of the game, and although he was able to continue playing, and score his goal, he had to have his right wrist put in plaster over the weekend.
It is a huge blow for Pawlett who impressed during the close season and, having already been involved with the first team this term, was in the frame to make an SPL debut.
MEANWHILE, referee Craig Thomson has been confirmed as Rangers' 12th man the BITB for Saturday's historically highly-charged match between the Dons and Rangers.
Thompson will be under close scrutiny from non-Old Firm fans during the 12.30pm match (but not, curiously, the SFA or the Scottish media) after a string of extremely dodgy performances from referees in games involving one or other of the gruesomes at the end of last season and the beginning of this.
This most recent series of decisions in favour of the Old Firm started in April this year when Zander Diamond's perfectly good equaliser at Celtic Park was chalked off by BITB Iain Brines, who subsequently agreed that he had made the bizarre decision to see a handball that hadn't existed.
AND FINALLY, Dutch side NEC Nijmegen could be in line to snap up former Dons defender Richie Byrne - but only if he uses his head.
NEC coach Mario Been is mulling over a contract offer for the marauding cult hero left-back who is currently on trial with the Dutch Eredivisie side.
But Been admitting he is unsure about offering the full-back a permanent deal.
He told De Gelderlander: "I need some time to think, but someone of his size should be winning more headers."