David Bates`s injury in the derby will give Graeme Murty a selection headache for tomorrow`s clash against Kilmarnock.
In today`s press conference, our manager confirmed the defender would be out for six weeks. He has encouraged other members of the squad to step up to the plate:
‘David Bates damaged the ligaments in his ankle, likely to be a minimum of six weeks out for David sadly. David is a big loss for us but it is an opportunity for the rest of the guys in the squad to step up and fill the space.’
The favourite to start in his place at the moment would be Russell Martin. It has been confirmed he returned to training today, but will he be 100% fit for tomorrow?
The on loan defender would solve the dilemma pretty quickly if he’s ready to start. He had been suffering with back problem which the Scottish Sun have said is a recurrence of a problem that previously kept him for a number of weeks earlier this season. There has to be a concern that he won`t make the starting line up if the club fear they could agitate the injury once again.
The other main alternative would be Fabio Cardoso despite his extremely poor display last time out. Of course, it`s extremely hard for any player to get into the pace of such a hotly contested match, especially as a sub who has had very little game time over the past few months, but you can`t make excuses for his poor defending for Dembele`s goal.
With Bruno Alves and his Portuguese team mate the only other recognised fit centre backs, it looks like risking Martin is the likeliest course that the boss will take against Killies. With Bates out for so long, I don`t know if it is worthwhile risking the 32 year old if it causes his back to flair up once again. But would Cardoso be just as much a gamble?
It leaves the manager with a difficult selection dilemma for the game. Do you pick someone who has been out in the cold for several months, or should he risk Martin tomorrow? Let me know in the poll.
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