Nicholson Joins Dons Injury List

Last updated : 06 March 2006 By Stand Free Ed

Aberdeen are expected to be hit by the news that midfielder Barry Nicholson will miss virtually all of the rest of the season with a broken rib.

The busy midfielder, who had been showing the form that made the Dons pay £250,000 for him last summer, was crocked by Celtic's Roy Keane in the first half of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood told the Evening Express: "It looked a pure accident to me. Roy seemed to be going for the ball, Barry got there before him and they collided.

"Roy apologised to Barry afterwards and that is the end of it as far as we are concerned."

"It looks as if a rib was broken so I expect Barry to be out for a few weeks."

Nicholson will join Jamie Smith, Michael Hart, Richie Byrne and Ryan Esson on the sidelines to compound Aberdeen's injury-hit SPL campaign.

There is no news yet on Ferne Snoyl who was also forced off the pitch in the first half at Parkhead after a typical challenge from Bobo Balde.