Aberdeen have suffered a huge blow on the eve of the new season after star striker Sam Cosgrove was ruled out for four months.
The Englishman suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hibernian at Pittodrie and scans have shown the attacker is expected to be out until November.
The loss of Cosgrove, who scored 23 goals for the club last season, is a huge loss for manager Derek McInnes on the eve of the new campaign which is due to get underway on Saturday against Rangers at Pittodrie.
The Dons received confirmation following a scan yesterday that Cosgrove’s injury was more serious than anticipated and while he will not require surgery he will miss the first three months of the campaign.
Cosgrove has been a striker in demand following his impressive performances for the club. He was linked with Middlesbrough and Stoke City in January while French club Guingamp had a £2.7million bid for the player accepted earlier this month.
Cosgrove, however, rejected a move to France in favour of remaining at Pittodrie, a decision prior to the result of the scan, which had pleased his manager.
McInnes said: “Obviously it was his decision to turn the move down but I think it indicates the confidence Sam has in himself.
“I’ve seen players have their heads turned in the past when the first offer comes their way and they have a chance to earn a few more quid and in hindsight they’ve gone too early.
“But credit to Sam, he’s had a look at it, weighed it up and decided to stay here. He is comfortable with the decision he has made and I’m happy to have him here.
“Sam is a confident lad and a player who not only has a plan for himself but a degree of confidence he can achieve it.
“He is attracting interest from clubs based on what he has done playing for us.”
The Dons face a nervous wait to see if another club makes a move for their striker before the window closes on October 4 but it is clear he will not kick a ball again while the window is open.
Cosgrove’s injury setback leaves Curtis Main and Bruce Anderson as the recognised fit and available forwards at the club. Main has recently resumed training after undergoing minor knee surgery while Anderson has been a regular scorer in the pre-season matches.