Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has confirmed that a virus sweeping through the club has floored a number of key players ahead of Saturday's vital Premiership clash with Dundee United at Tannadice.
The Dons boss admitted he cannot finalise his team or tactics until a sick parade on Saturday morning, with several players already struck down by the bug and others beginning to show symptoms. The timing is far from ideal, as a win for Aberdeen would see them leapfrog Dundee United into the top six.
Robinson confident despite illness
Despite the disruption, Robinson remains confident he can field a strong enough side to secure back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. "We have had a virus going through the club at the moment, a lot of the players have had it and some more are reporting in with it today," he said.
"It seems like a three or four-day thing where you gradually get worse, so we will just have to wait and see. I have an idea of what I want to do with the team but we will just have to see how people are when they get up tomorrow."
"The plan I had has already changed this morning so we'll just have to wait. The boys who have had the virus already, we'll have to assess if they're fit enough to play. It might be that you'd be fit enough to go back behind a desk, but running around for ninety minutes at the top of your game would be difficult."
No excuses from the Dons
Robinson was keen to stress that Aberdeen will not use the illness as an excuse. "But we won't make excuses, it is what it is. It happens in life and I'm sure everyone will have similar at some stage this season," he added.
"We'll certainly pick a team we believe is capable of winning the game. I believe we have a good squad and sometimes someone else's misfortune gives an opportunity."
One player affected is defender Kristers Tobers, who has already endured a frustrating 17 months out injured. The Latvian central defender's comeback has been delayed further after he contracted the virus.
"Unfortunately, Kristers was one who had the virus so he wasn't able to play in our game the other night. The boy is certainly not having much luck at the moment but it's one of those things. Your health has to come first, of course," Robinson said.
