Aberdeen midfielder Willo Flood will miss Thursday’s Europa League match against Latvians Ventspils at Pittodrie.
The former Dundee United midfielder struggled through the last 20 minutes of his side’s game in Luxembourg against Fola Esch last week and manager Derek McInnes does not expect Flood to recover in time for Thursday’s second qualifying round first leg.
He said: “Willo is going to be out for a few days. He has a back issue after taking a knock on Thursday.
“He is pain-free and more comfortable now, but there is still a restriction there and I’d have to say he is a doubt for the game on Thursday.”
Flood watched his team-mates put their 1-0 loss in Luxembourg behind them as they scored four goals at East Fife in a friendly yesterday.
McInnes was pleased to see his attackers shine at New Bayview, but knows his players are still short of sharpness.
He said: “We had a mixture of young players and first team players in both halves and there were a lot of positives from the game.
“Jayden Stockley got two goals and Adam Rooney got a goal which is pleasing while Miles Storey looked lively.
“But I am disappointed with the goals we lost as they were really sloppy and it is a reminder we still have work to do.”
McInnes handed a debut to new signing Storey, but it was a familiar face who struck early as the Dons took just three minutes to open the scoring.
It was created and scored with ease as captain Ryan Jack, who played at right back, crossed for the unmarked Rooney who beat Willie Muir in the East Fife goal with a guided, downward header.
The Dons were in control and the only surprise was that it took them until six minutes from half-time to extend their lead and again, when the goal came, it came easy for the visitors as Anthony O’Connor rose highest to head Frank Ross’ corner past Muir.
The Dons were in cruise control, but let East Fife back into the game after the break when captain Jack headed Mark Lamont’s cross past his own goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
From being in command the Dons quickly found themselves back on level terms after conceding a penalty. O’Connor was the guilty party when he tripped Kevin Smith and Paul McManus sent Alexander the wrong way with the resulting spot kick.
O’Connor made amends, however, when he got to the byeline and crossed for Stockley to head the ball past Ryan Goodfellow from eight yards.
The forward almost made it 4-2 with an acrobatic overhead kick, but his effort came back off the crossbar. He was not to be denied, however, and duly grabbed his second of the game with a looping header over the East Fife goalkeeper.
