Dundee United skipper Sean Dillon has been told he won’t need surgery on an injury he’s had to keep quiet about since early this month.
The Irishman took a knock on his throat courtesy of an accidental collision with team-mate Billy Mckay during the Tangerines’ 3-2 win at Inverness Caley Thistle back on May 6.
It didn’t prevent him turning out against Partick Thistle the following midweek but, three weeks on, Dillon is still not his usual talkative self.
“I pretty much lost my voice after Billy whacked me right on the throat,” whispered the 32-year-old.
“I finished the game OK and it didn’t stop me training or being available for the final two games of the season.
“But my voice wasn’t coming back, so I thought I’d better see about it.
“The doctor sent me for a scope and the camera they stuck down my throat showed one of my vocal chords was white, which they say is normal.
“The other one was yellow and they’ve said it’s bruising.
“It’s a pain because my voice has been weak for a few weeks now and some days it’s worse than others.
“The good thing is they’ve said it will heal on its own but it’ll just take a bit of time.”
Dillon is expecting to be fully recovered by the start of pre-season training, though, even if his voice is still croaky, then it will not stop him working out normally with the rest of the squad.
The build-up to next term will see him officially meet up with boss Ray McKinnon for the first time but he’s revealed he has worked with his new gaffer before.
“The manager used to be on the SFA coaching staff and, when I was going through my badges, he was good enough to have a chat with me and give me a view tips before I did my exams.
“Like everyone else, though, I’ll be starting from scratch with him in pre-season and it’s up to all of us to impress him and make sure we are part of his plans.”
Meanwhile former United midfielder Billy McKinlay could be out of a job just months after moving to Norway.
McKinlay took over at Stabaek after being fired along with David Moyes by Spanish giants Real Sociedad.
After just two wins in 12 games, though, he is under pressure there.
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