Ross County defender Ben Frempah is expected to miss the next four months of the season after having surgery on his broken ankle.
Frempah suffered the injury while playing for the club’s under-20s against Motherwell in a development match on Tuesday.
His absence further limits manager Jim McIntyre’s defensive options, with Darren Barr already ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
McIntyre said: “It is a real blow for us and Ben. He just slid in for a challenge and his foot caught underneath him. His body-weight took him forward and he broke his ankle.
“Ben caught our eye when he came here as a player with potential, so it is really disappointing. The surgeon has said the operation was a resounding success and he is in good hands with Crawford Quinn, our physio. He’ll come back stronger.
“These things happen to footballers and it’s about strength of character – and Ben’s got that. He’s a determined big fellow and he’ll get the best support from us as well. We’ve not had much luck but that’s football. Every club gets injuries and we just have to deal with it.”
McIntyre hopes his side can trigger a productive festive period with victory against high-flying Dundee United this evening. Five of the Staggies’ next eight matches are at home and McIntyre believes it is a chance for his team to gain the results required to move off the foot of the Scottish Premiership.
It won’t be easy for bottom-of-the-table County against Jackie McNamara’s in-form Tangerines, who have won four of their last five matches. But victory would move County above fellow strugglers St Mirren and Motherwell and McIntyre says his players will not be lacking any motivation.
He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity. We’ve got to pick up as many points as we can. That’s the aim. We’ve got to try to make home advantage count.
“For any team that goes on a run, home form is generally critical. There is something a wee bit special about these occasions. A Friday night is far better than a Monday night for getting a better crowd in at the start of the weekend.
“The players are looking forward to it, but we know Dundee United are in good form. They’ve been up near the top of the league on merit. They’re a threat.”
Midfielder Filip Kiss will miss tonight’s game with a thigh injury.