More Hart Ache For Dons

Last updated : 09 September 2005 By Stand Free Ed

Aberdeen right-back Michael Hart is facing another two months out of the team after the recurrence of a groin strain was confirmed by Pittodrie yesterday. Hart managed 45 minutes of the friendly against Keith on Sunday, with many hoping that his recovery from injury would be complete this week. These thoughts were cut short on Tuesday however, and it is now almost certain that the reliable defender will need surgery to solve the problem.

25-year-old Hart had not pulled on the red shirt since the pre-season goalless draw against SVZ Wierden on July 16 and the news may mean that Jimmy Calderwood will have to step up his search for defensive cover that was thwarted during the transfer window.

Calderwood told the Press & Journal: "Michael played the first half against Keith but felt out of sorts and not right at all. It is a strange one because he had done all the recovery work with the physios and we had thought we would have had him back two or three weeks ago.

"But he felt the injury every time he turned to sprint. He was confident going into the match, but it is back to drawing board and back to the specialist."

Calderwood has also been rocked by the news that 'keeper Jamie Langfield has picked up a similar injury and will be out for eight weeks. This is in addition to Hart's woes and centre forward Darren Mackie's Achilles injury that will see him missing first-team action until the end of October at the earliest.

Calderwood added: "Michael and Darren were two of our best players last season, so it is very disappointing for both.

"I was talking to Jim Leighton during the week about the fact we would need to have emergency plans in place in case any of our keepers get injured. It is Sod's Law that within two days, that is exactly what happens.

"If Jamie is out long-term, though, there is no doubt we will need to bring somebody else in. It will have to be somebody who is out of contract."