Blow for Aberdeen as Hedges ruled out for rest of season

Aberdeen have revealed that Ryan Hedges is likely to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a “really unusual” injury.

The attacker has damaged his pectoral muscle and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines that is likely to damage his chances of playing for Wales at the European Championships this summer.

Dons manager Derek McInnes admitted the injury was a serious blow for the winger and also for the club, especially after fellow attacker Scott Wright moved to Rangers on deadline day.

“Ryan Hedges will go for an operation on Friday and is out for the season,” McInnes said.

“It is a really unusual injury. He has ruptured the muscle off of his pectoral. It is an injury that you don’t see a lot in football, it is more one that you get with rugby or wrestling.

“Losing him and Scott Wright leaving it is a real blow. It is one we need to try and deal with and one we intend to deal with and starting tomorrow we need to beat a Hibs team that are going through their own tough spell but have managed to get a couple of positive results.

“I am gutted for Ryan; he has had such a good campaign and he has carried that attacking threat and the creativity and speed that both him and Scott had. To be without both lads is a real blow.

“We are gutted for Ryan with his own aspirations and trying to get to the Euros. With Scott leaving as well it leaves a real hole with Ryan’s injury. It is tough for Ryan and it is tough for the team but we have got to try and deal with those challenges. We have got to try and find ways of winning our remaining games without these boys.”

McInnes explained that Hedges is expected to be out for around three months, which means he may return for the final games of the Premiership season but game time before the Euros is more than likely to be very limited.

“I think Ryan might have an outside of being in with a chance of being available for the Euros,” he said. “He had a remote consultation with the specialist but once he gets in and really explores the injury we would be second guessing.

“The feeling is because it is a rupture of the muscle, similar to a hamstring, you are probably talking the best part of two to three months, leaning more towards the three months.

“He could maybe get back for a game or two towards the end but to put himself towards the Welsh squad he would have to be playing a lot more games. It is not impossible, but it is a bigger challenge for them.”