| The Dark Blues were forced to play their last two First Division fixtures without Efrem and fellow-loan Ranger Andrew Shinnie because they were away with national squads.
Now it has emerged a hamstring injury, that happened before Cyprus lost 2-0 to Bulgaria in Sofia last night, has put Efrem’s weekend participation in question.
“I spoke to him briefly and I know he has a hamstring problem. I don’t know if he did it in their game last weekend or if it was in training, but he was not involved last night and he has to be a doubt,” said boss Jocky Scott.
“It’s the price you can pay when players are away with their countries, but I have to say that, the way our last two games have worked out, I can’t put the results down to Shinnie and Efrem’s absence.
“We actually coped with that well and it was other reasons that cost us.”
There was more bad news today when it was confirmed Craig McKeown’s season is over and he will have a groin operation tomorrow.
“It is not quite reached the stage where it’s a hernia, but he is going in to have a repair done that will prevent one developing,” explained Jocky.
“It’s not the best news and he won’t be back in time for any of our remaining games.”
On the plus side, last Saturday’s red-carded pair Gary MacKenzie and Paul McHale will be available at Cappielow, though, after that, McHale will then serve a further two-game ban. |
