Aberdeen and Scotland have suffered a major injury blow, as Derek McInnes has confirmed that defender Scott McKenna is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
The centre-back was forced off early in the second half of Aberdeen 's Scottish Cup win over St Mirren with a suspected hamstring injury.
He underwent scans this week to determine the extent of the blow, with the initial prognosis that he would be out for the rest of March - including Scotland 's Euro 2020 play-off with Israel.
It seems it's worst case scenario, however, as McInnes expects it will be 'very difficult' for the 23-year-old to return this season.
McInnes said: "The result of the scan was our biggest fear. We were hoping he would be available for the (William Hill Scottish Cup) semi-final.
"We anticipated him missing the next four games and the Scotland game but the news we got was the worst possible news really.
"It's more the tendon coming off the bone. Unfortunately for us the timescale makes it very tight for him to be back playing for us this season. That type of injury would normally keep you out for the best part of three to four months."
It's the second major defensive injury in the space of a week Scotland, as Hearts' John Souttar will also miss the playoff with a ruptured achilles.
Hearts boss Daniel Stendel said: "He was getting a scan and then we will decide on surgery and when.
“I think he will need surgery.
“It is the worst for him, for the club and for the team. Some situations you cannot influence. We hope he comes back in the summer stronger than before."
