Steven Pressley has admitted Dundee’s crippling injury crisis has forced them to look at the free agent market. The Dark Blues are expected to play a trialist in a bounce game against Hearts on Thursday.
Season-ending injuries
Pressley has lost captain Simon Murray, Jack Moorhouse and Fin Robertson for the season with ACL injuries in recent weeks. He also has a number of other key players out with more short to medium-term injuries. This has forced his recruitment team to look at available out-of-contract players.
The head coach confirmed: “We are currently looking and have someone to have a look at. It’s a difficult market but the recruitment team are having a good look around. They thought they were finished for the time being - but it’s certainly not! We will see what’s out there and if there’s anyone we feel could come in to help us out.”
No let-up in training
Pressley has insisted there will be no let up for his injury-hit squad because he wants his Dundee side to play at 100% with the pedal to the metal. He wants his team to train the way they play and that won’t change.
Pressley stated: “We wanted to use this break to get time on the grass with players we wanted up to speed and to really work with them. But it’s been challenging because of the amount of injuries we’ve currently got. You can be very protective about players, choose not to risk them, don’t play them and don’t train them hard, but that’s just kicking the can down the road and storing up problems. I think if you ease off you pick up more injuries, so it’s about finding that balance.”
“It has been difficult. You can’t coach players with fear, you have to keep pushing them. A fitter player is a more robust player, if you step off them the likelihood is they’ll end up picking up worse problems further down the line. It has been a challenging period for us but we’ll come through it further forward and stronger for it.”
Injury update
The likes of Joe Wright, Charlie Reilly and Ryan Finnigan are all still out. His manager revealed: “Charlie Reilly is still another week away from being able to do full training on the grass with us. Ryan Finnigan, there’s still not a definitive date on that but he’s making good progress.”
Midfielder Robertson has also now had his ACL operation and is in rehab along with skipper Murray. Pressley added: “Fin has had his operation, it went well and he’s in good spirits. He’s been around the place, him and Simon. It’s not easy for them but they’re responding in a positive way and embracing the challenge ahead.”
