Mcpake Blow Sees Dundee Boss Hartley Eye January Additions

[JoeCovenant]

After securing derby day bragging rights, Dundee boss Paul Hartley has set his sights on adding two new faces in the January transfer window.

The gaffer admits some of the shine was taken off the Dark Blues’ 2-1 win over city rivals Dundee United at the weekend with the news that James McPake will now miss the rest of the season with a knee problem. As a result, top of Paul’s January wishlist is a centre-half. And it is likely he will also look to bolster his attacking ranks with summer loanees Riccardo Calder and Rhys Healey returned to their parent clubs, Aston Villa and Cardiff City respectively.

“We will be looking to get something done this month,†said Paul. “With James’ injury we will be looking for a centre-back in the window. As well as that, Daryll Meggatt has a groin problem and Julen Etxabeguren will be out for a another four weeks.We are down to the bare bones in that area.

“We will look to bring in a defender and one other, also.â€

Former-Northern Irish international McPake was forced off on a stretcher after a strong challenge resulted in a disclocation of his knee. It is not yet known how significant the damage done to the joint is, but the initial prognosis is not good.

Paul says McPake could be looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines, rating him as a doubt even for the opening of next season.

“It doesn’t look good,†he said. “It looks like he has dislocated his knee. He will be out for the season but it looks like it could be longer than that. Our thoughts are with him.

“It was a real sickening blow. It was a big result for us but to lose our captain after just 10 minutes was a blow, without doubt. It was just a clash. There was no malice in it. I actually felt James won the ball. It wasn’t a free-kick.â€

Dundee manager Paul Hartley is looking for a replacement for centre-back James McPake.

The gaffer, who confirmed he, and the club, are awaiting news of a scan taken at Ninewells Hospital on the knee, continued:

“It is a wee bit of a dampener but I thought the players were terrific. These games are hard. It is never pretty. A lot of it is to do with how you handle the occasion.â€

Character was something that came into question after the Dark Blues crumbled in the Highlands against Ross County the week previous. But on Saturday those defensive frailties, which were so evident in Dingwall, were nowhere to be seen as Dundee limited United to scraps in front of goal.

Paul was delighted with the strength shown by his players in the clash.

“The reaction of the players after going a goal down was fantastic, especially after last weekend,†he said. “We showed some fighting spirit in the game which is what I think we had to show.â€

Having played in a high-profile derby or two in his time, Paul knows how important these games can be to the punters. And he knows all too well how crucial they are to his own fans, given recent history.

“Overall these games are about winning — that’s all,†said the gaffer. “It’s about getting the result and the bragging rights. The fans here have had to wait a long time to beat Dundee United in the past so these wins mean a lot to them.

“This time we managed to send them home and to their work happy.â€

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