defender returns to Plymouth for treatment on his troublesome Achilles injury
By Michael Gannon
Published: 30/03/2010
Jim Paterson’s loan spell at Pittodrie could be over as the Plymouth defender will return to Home Park for further diagnosis and treatment on his Achilles injury.
The 30-year-old full back limped off in the Dons’ 2-2 draw against Dundee United but it was hoped the damage would only result in a short-term absence.
The former Dundee United and Motherwell player has not responded to treatment, however, and is now heading back to his parent club in Devon for examination.
Dons manager Mark McGhee said Paterson, who has 16 months remaining on his contract at Plymouth, may not return.
He said: “Paterson is going back to Plymouth. It looks as though he could take several weeks to recover and I do not even know if he will be able to play for us again this season.
“He will go back there and they will be able to take care of him and, hopefully, get to the bottom of his injury.â€
McGhee will also be without attacker Steven MacLean for this weekend’s SPL trip to Kilmarnock.
The forward is suspended after being sent off for two yellow cards in the weekend 2-1 victory against St Mirren, a decision which jars with the Aberdeen manager.
McGhee is convinced MacLean was harshly dealt with by referee Brian Winter, particularly with the second yellow card, brandished despite the Dons player appearing to win the ball before defender Graham Carey. There is no system of appeal for second yellow card dismissals and McGhee is now resigned to reshaping his side for Rugby Park.
He said: “We have looked at the incident again and it was never a sending-off. Steven nicked the ball away and you could see the ball being pushed. It was a poor decision and it means we are without him for the weekend. The first yellow was for dissent, so it was two very soft bookings. It was reminiscent of some of the unjustified red cards we picked up earlier in the season. We will have to change things up front.
“We have some decisions to make because we can bring in Darren Mackie or start with Fraser Fyvie in the middle.â€
Midfielder Gary McDonald is scheduled to return to training this week after three weeks out with a hamstring strain.
