Ross County captain Andrew Davies is facing a race against time to shake off a back injury ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership test away to Celtic.
The influential central defender is a major doubt for the Highlanders having succumbed to a painful injury late on in last week’s Dingwall draw with Partick Thistle.
Davies, who led County to a 2-2 home draw at Victoria Park the last time the clubs met, will be given every chance to recover before Jim McIntyre finalises his starting side. The County manager said: “Andrew is still very much a doubt for Parkhead. It is a bit of neural pain he has, connected to his back. We will assess him again before the game.”
County will be without French midfielder Christopher Routis, who aggravated a hamstring problem leaving the Staggies with just 10 men late on in the 1-1 draw with Thistle.
McIntyre’s options in the middle of the park are further reduced with loanee Jamie Lindsay barred from facing his parent club.
Partly alleviating those losses, though, McIntyre has former Celtic and Coventry City midfielder Jim O’Brien fit again after the hamstring injury that forced him out of the Partick game.
McIntyre said: “Jim is over his hamstring problem and back in full training, which is good timing in the circumstances.
“It is great to have another option in the middle of the park, especially with Christopher Routis dropping out this week and Jamie Lindsay unable to face Celtic.”
McIntyre, meanwhile is warning young starlet Davis Keillor-Dunn to keep his feet on the ground after his outstanding home debut last weekend.
The 19-year-old left midfielder from Sunderland shone in his first start for the club, winning the man-of-the-match award with a crowd-pleasing show of ability.
McIntyre said: “Davis did exceptionally well on Saturday. He’s a confident young boy who is progressing well.
“His game has certainly come together over the last six months.