Jordan White a doubt for Ross County's Scottish Premiership play-off against Partick Thistle after suffering nasty cut against Kilmarnock
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Jordan White's status for Ross County's play-off matches is a question mark after the striker was forced off in the Staggies' final regular season match in the Premiership against Kilmarnock.
A clash of heads in the first half between White and Killie's Brad Lyons left the big forward worse off, with him needing treatment and continuing until half time with heavy bandaging around his head.
Mackay revealed after the match that White had been taken to hospital and had received stitches after a nasty cut, which also puts his availability for Thursday evening's play-off first leg away at Partick Thistle in doubt.
"We lose Jordan to a really bad cut on his head," the County boss explained.
"He's away to A&E with a hell of a lot of stitches in his head, the cut was right down to the bone, so that was unfortunate because he's been a big player for us and recently he's come on to a really rich vein of scoring form.
"I don't know where he will stand (for the play-offs).
"It's a pretty bad cut, not a concussion but a bad wound. Our medical people will deal with that, we have a duty of care to look after him no matter what else is happening."
While the immediate reaction from County fans may well have been disappointment at losing to Kilmarnock and staying in the play-off position, Mackay tried to reinforce a positive message about the club's predicament.
Given they were four points adrift going into the split, having a fighting chance of escaping the bottom two in their last match is an achievement in itself, according to the Staggies boss.
While Partick Thistle have been in imperious goalscoring form in the play-offs so far, then, Mackay knows his side can still stay up – if they play to their abilities over the next week.
"We'll have to be as on it as we have been for most of the season," Mackay added.
"We have to be up and at it, and ready for everything that's coming at us.
"In the grand scheme of things, four weeks ago after Tynecastle when we were beaten 6-1 and four points adrift, I don't think anybody gave us a chance of still being in this division.
"To be in a play-off and not relegated after the last game, I have to give my team real credit. We could have been better against Kilmarnock, but I have to look beyond that to the way we have finished these final five games.
"We've had two good wins, a very controversial loss in the last minute and a crazy game last Wednesday where we were winning with 30 seconds to go.
"We have to have perspective, and recognise the effort that these guys have put in over the last few weeks to get off the bottom and go into the final day with a chance of avoiding the play-off.
"It's undoubtedly going to be tough, Partick Thistle are playing well, and I'm sure some people will think we're underdogs – but Ross County are always underdogs in the Premiership, so that's no different as far as we're concerned.
"This is about the bigger picture – I go back to our form over the last five games, and there were times against Kilmarnock where we were pushing them back in the second half, so we just have to make sure we bring the best version of ourselves against Partick Thistle."
