Stephen Robinson yesterday revealed that Charles Dunne will be out for two months. The St Mirren boss says a scan confirmed the big centre-back has suffered a hamstring tendon injury.
Dunne signed for the club two months ago on a short-term deal having left in the summer to pursue a move abroad which fell through.
He came on as a sub at home to Dundee United before starting the next three games against Hearts, Rangers and St Johnstone. However, the 31-year-old Londoner will now spend eight weeks in the treatment room.
Robbo admits the news is a huge setback with Alex Iacovitti (hamstring) also sidelined, Jaden Brown unavailable as a result of a club investigation and Shaun Rooney having already left Saints by mutual consent.
He said: “We’ve had bad news about Charles. It’s an injury he has done previously in 2021 before I got here.
“It’s a big blow for us as he has been excellent since he came in. The centre-half position seems to be cursed at the moment given the amount of injuries and knocks that we have.
“Richard [Taylor] is only just back so it’s an area where we’re light. It’s something we have to manage. We’ve got players who can go in one. Elvis Bwomono and Scott Tanser can both do that. I’ve got Mark O’Hara and Oisin Smyth who have had spells at centre-half in their careers.
“We may have no option but to use these emergency options given the numbers we have and the amount of games we have coming up. It will be the start of December, mid-December, before big Yak is back to full fitness and has match fitness.”
As well as the absences of Dunne, Iacovitti and Brown, Saints were assessing midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce (calf) ahead of today’s trip to face Hibernian.
Meanwhile, Kevin Van Veen’s loan deal from Dutch Eredivisie side FC Groningen has been terminated following domestic abuse allegations and Robbo said: “There’s nothing more I can add.
“The club have made a statement on Kevin and I just have to deal with that and pick the best team from what is available.”
Hibs are rock-bottom of the Premiership with rookie boss David Gray under pressure to turn things around.
Robbo said: “I feel for any manager that gets any kind of stick or pressure. I haven’t read or seen it from David’s point of view but he is a very good guy and a really good coach by all accounts.
“We enjoy playing there, it’s a big, open pitch, the stadium is beautiful and we always take a lot of fans so there’s a good atmosphere. If you can’t enjoy playing at Easter Road then what’s the point?”
Don’t miss the latestRenfrewshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here