Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes bitten by dog and needs 18 stitches

Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes needed 18 stitches in a gash in his left hand and arm after being attacked by a dog while walking his two Labradors in a park in the city.

Aberdeen's Johnny Hayes will play against Celtic despite the injury. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS

Hayes will play against Celtic on Wednesday with a heavily bandaged arm after the incident last week in Balmedie Country Park.

“He will be fine for the game, but he has been bitten by a dog,” said Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes. “He was out walking his own dogs at the time. As far as I am led to believe, he was walking his own dogs, another dog got involved and I think Jonny tried to separate them. In the commotion, he has been bitten.”

McInnes revealed the specialist who treated Hayes was a Dr Barker. “In all seriousness, it was quite a nasty bite,” the manager added. “It was pretty horrific. It required a lot of stitches.

“It hasn’t affected his training,” he added. “I don’t know what kind of dog it was,” he continued. “It must have been a greyhound to catch him. If there is any drama, it is normally Jonny. He is worth the drama, though.”