Aberdeen winger Gary Mackay-Steven is facing a race against time to make next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.
The Scotland international suffered a calf injury while winning a penalty in this month’s Scottish Cup tie against Rangers at Pittodrie, which finished 1-1.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes had hoped Mackay-Steven would be fit to feature in Tuesday’s replay, won 2-0 by the Dons, but scans have revealed the 28-year-old is facing a longer period on the sidelines than first expected.
And the Aberdeen manager is unsure if Mackay-Steven will be back in time for the semi-final against Celtic on April 14.
He said: “Gary is going to be out for the next few weeks as his injury is worse than we were hoping it would be and it needs further investigation.
“He’ll been wearing a boot now and be non-weight bearing for two or three weeks and we will see how he is after that.
“We are hoping he will be back soon after that but he will be touch and go for the semi-final.”
Sam Cosgrove returns from suspension for today’s visit of Livingston to Pittodrie but Connor McLennan, who netted the second goal against Rangers at Ibrox, could miss out.
The 19-year-old has withdrawn from the Scotland under-21 squad for next week’s friendlies against Mexico and Sweden with a knee injury.
McInnes said: “We are just trying to manage his training and we have been for the last while.
“It is an injury that will just respond to rest but with injuries to other players he’s had to play week-in, week-out.
“He is available for the Livingston game but that can’t continue so we need to get him rested which is why we have withdrawn him from the Scotland under-21 squad.”