Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is hopeful he will not be without Scotland defender Scott McKenna for too long after the centre-back limped out of Saturday's draw with Kilmarnock.
McKenna is one of a number of Dons centre-backs to have been sidelined through injury this term, but McInnes sees light at the end of the tunnel, with on-loan Watford man Tommie Hoban having come off the bench for his first appearance since a shoulder injury ruled him out in August.
"He's got a bit of tightness in his hamstring and he's obviously frustrated with that, but I don't think it's as bad as when he had to come off against Rangers here," said McInnes. "I imagine he'd be a doubt for Tuesday (the Scottish Cup replay against Stenhousemuir).
"Fortunately we've got Tommie Hoban back. Mark Reynolds will have a game this week – he's out of the cup game as it's an Astroturf pitch – and we'll have Mikey Devlin back in about 10 days or so.
Hopefully we can get through the next couple of games and get some bodies back and hopefully Scott's not too badly injured."
Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke was left to reflect on a "good week" for his side as they took four points from two games against sides in the top four in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
He said: "We came here hoping too win, but if you can't win, the only thing you can do is take a point. To make it to the next round of the cup and take four points from six in the league makes it a satisfying week.
"It's another point towards our objective of finishing in the top six before the league splits. If we can keep picking up points and keep looking for the level of performance that's good enough to pick up points, we'll be happy.
"I don't look beyond Hearts at home next Friday. They managed a good win so they'll have a confidence about them going into the game and it'll be another tough game for us."
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