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Jimmy Calderwood told the Press & Journal: "Steve is a doubt. We will see how he is in the morning, but I won't take any risks if it means I could lose him for six weeks. Not having our two main strikers is a problem, but we will still have enough."
The striking problem has been compounded by yesterday's news that Livingston have beaten Inverness Caley Thistle to the signature of Dons forward Derek Adams. The 30-year-old has signed a two-year contract at Almondvale after falling out of favour with the Dons' management team. Adams scored 5 goals in nineteen games for the Reds last season, often from a deeper midfield role.
Darren Mackie and Michael Hart are both ruled out, but injury worries Kevin McNaughton and captain Russell Anderson could play. Revitalised Richie Byrne is also a doubt, while Ryan Esson is confirmed as first choice 'keeper and will start between the sticks ahead of Jamie Langfield.
The Arabs will be without new signing Lee Mair, who has been ruled out of the start of the season with knee problems. Ex-rangers midfielder Derek McInnes is also out, again with a knee injury, and influential midfielder Barry Robson is suspended.
Despite the striker crisis at Pittodrie, Jimmy Calderwood is confident he has the players to do the job today and get the Dons off to a winning start to the season. He told the P&J: "These players are young, but their pace is frightening and we have so many systems we can play."