Dundee boss Paul Hartley has confirmed that Kevin Thomson is almost certainly out of Saturday’s league game at Dens against Partick Thistle.
The Dark Blues skipper pulled up shortly after kick-off on Wednesday night in Inverness and was replaced by Jim McAlister.
The Dens manager has now admitted it is unlikely that the influential Thomson will be risked against the Jags.
He said: “Thommo has injured his calf and will be a major doubt for Saturday.
“He just nicked it in the warm-up. Barra (Kevin McBride) also did his calf in training and pulled out on Tuesday.
“We think Thommo will be out for a week to 10 days. It is a long season ahead and I do not want to risk him. He is influential for me.
“Jim though was excellent when he came on. He has a lot of experience and legs about him so he was ideal.
“We will have to use the squad this season and the guys know that.
“If a player drops out then it is someone else’s chance to stake a claim. Thankfully, everyone else came through the Inverness game OK.”
Dundee have rightly attracted plaudits for the entertaining style of football they have displayed already this season, something mirrored by their opening two league opponents Kilmarnock and Inverness who also sprayed the ball about to good effect.
And Hartley insists that with the players at his disposal, he will not be changing the team mantra any time soon.
“Over the years, the Scottish game has been criticised for the lack of quality and teams that don’t want to play and pass the ball,” he said.
“But I think you could see in our first two league games that we want to try pass it.
“We think we’re good at it and have the players to do so. Thistle will be the same.
“The Premiership is the top league and there are some good teams with some good players.
“We won’t change our style of football for anyone. We’ll keep trying to pass the ball and entertain. All of our players are comfortable playing a passing game so we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
While being pleased with his side’s attacking play, Hartley also took time to praise his goalkeeper, Kyle Letheren, and the back four of Willie Dyer, James McPake, Thomas Konrad and Paul McGinn for providing a sound platform.
He said: “I’m pleased with our solid start. We know this league is tough. We know that if you make mistakes you get punished. So we haven’t lost a goal from open play.
“We want to win on Saturday that’s for sure but there are no easy games.
“I think being solid at the back is going to be key this season. I feel the first goal is always going to be important in this league.
“It is vital so I thought the keeper and our back four were excellent in Inverness.
“The two centre-backs were solid, James and Thomas are commanding with good presence.
“Paul was getting up that right-hand side all afternoon long. And on the other side, Willie is just Mr Consistent.”