(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Dundee manager James McPake is looking to add a new central defender to his squad after Lee Ashcroft underwent hamstring surgery yesterday – but insists he won’t be forced to sign someone “for the sake of it.”
Ashcroft, who won last season’s Player’s Player and Fan’s Player of the Year for the Dens Park side, limped out of the 3-0 win over Motherwell shortly after half-time, suffering tendon damage in his left hamstring.
Ashcroft faces a lengthy spell out (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
McPake admits it isn’t easy to find the sort of quality he wants but confessed Ashcroft’s injury has left him with a pressing need to add a new defender and avoid leaving his side short for the second half of the campaign.
“What we won’t do is panic and bring in someone for the sake of it,” McPake said [Courier].
“We need someone who can come in and help us by being of a level that can compete in this league.
“That has been ongoing because it has been an area we have been targeting from last summer but they are hard to find.
“It’s not easy to go find someone as good as Lee Ashcroft, Ryan Sweeney or Liam Fontaine.
“Jordan McGhee coming back offers cover but we are short there.
“With Ash out long-term, we certainly need a quality centre-back in that can help our team in this league.
“What we don’t want to be is left short and vulnerable to injury and suspension.”
Dundee face Ross County this weekend and McPake will be hoping his side can pick up a massive three points against the Staggies and climb further away from the foot of the table.
Replacing Ashcroft will be a tough task for McPake in January though and it will be interesting to see whether he looks to use the loan market or make a permanent signing when the transfer window opens.
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