Malky Mackay believes Aberdeen's challenges on Josh Sims and Josh Reid could each have led to red cards after both players spent hours in hospital
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Malky Mackay revealed that both Josh Sims and Josh Reid were in hospital until the early hours of the morning after facing Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
Sims suffered a nasty gash to his leg after a collision with Ryan Duncan, an injury Mackay described after the match as like a banana being split open.
Reid also took a heft challenge towards the end, and was visibly hobbling in the final minutes as the Staggies pushed for an equaliser.
In hindsight, Mackay believes both tackled could have resulted in red cards.
"Josh Sims got out of the hospital at 6.15am on Thursday," Mackay revealed.
"They have taken X-rays and stitched up inside and outside – it's a really nasty one.
"He will be out for the time of a healing process of a leg. It will come down to how muscle and skin heal. We have to be very careful with that.
"Josh Reid's X-ray was at 4.15am. It was a potential broken foot, but we don't think it is right now.
"The referee's feedback was he didn't see the incident.
"When I looked at the Josh Sims challenge, Ryan Duncan would be off with VAR. It is as clear as a bell. It's clumsy and he's off.
"I am not sure who it was in the challenge with Josh Reid, but that was also reckless. They could have had two sent off if we had VAR."
Mackay also confirmed that Eamonn Brophy missed the matchday squad on Wednesday after taking a kick against Livingston that resulted in a dead calf.
He is doubtful of featuring in Saturday's match against Hearts, but has a better chance than either Josh.
Another player who will be available is Jack Baldwin, despite his red card against the Dons.
The punishment for denying a goalscoring opportunity is a one-game ban in the competition the incident took place, meaning that Baldwin will be suspended for the first game of next season's League Cup but can play in the league.
Still, Baldwin has picked up a handful of suspensions in his time with County. However, that is not something that is a major concern to Mackay.
“It is always something that it is good to talk about, and look at, which we have," Mackay reasoned.
“The nature of his position and the aggressive way in which I want us to play, the starting points I want our players to have in pressing the game, means at times there are going to be spaces in behind.
“It is also his area of the pitch and the fact he is a very committed defender who wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He will be on the front foot more than someone who just looks after himself.
“He is a leader, captain and looks to help others, as well as himself. Sometimes that goes against you.
“I’ll take that 95 per cent of the time. He is someone who has been outstanding for me.
“I will take those absences because I have a character I want at the club, someone who leads from the front off the field and at training every day.
“He is probably the best communicator on the pitch and at training.
“Like anything, he will look to get better and improve. I’ve spoken to him, Will \nightingale and young Ryan Leak about how, personally, I don’t think centre-backs reach their best until they hit their 30s.
“They are like fine wines.”
