Aberdeen FC

• Nickname:The dons
• Founded:1903
• Manager:Jimmy Calderwood

• Ground:Pittodrie
• Capacity:22,199

Dons wait on Nicholson

12 Mar 2007 - 14:53:20

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Aberdeen's European aspirations have been rocked by the news that Barry Nicholson could miss the vital end-of-season run-in with a shoulder problem.

The Dons midfielder suffered the injury in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Hearts, but manager Jimmy Calderwood doesn't yet know the full extent of the problem.

Aberdeen are currently third in the SPL table and on course to qualify for a spot in next season's UEFA Cup, but fourth-placed Hearts are just three points further back.

"Barry might be out for a few weeks and we don't know the full extent of the damage yet as he's trying to see a surgeon at the moment," admitted Calderwood.

"He's in an awful lot of discomfort from his shoulder blade and, although we don't think he'll need an operation, it's a painful thing.

"It's a big blow for us because he is a quality player and you could see that when he created a pass out of nothing for our goal against Hearts.

"We will certainly miss him, but injuries are part and parcel of football, so if we are only going to have to cope without one player from our 23-man squad, then that is not too bad."