Flu-ridden Motherwell may request postponement of Aberdeen game

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee talks to the press ahead of his side's fixture against Aberdeen, which may not go ahead. Picture: SNS

Motherwell were forced to postpone an under-20s game against Celtic on Tuesday after the vast majority the squad were laid low and the illness has started spreading to the first team.

McGhee already had Stephen Pearson ruled out with a punctured lung and broken ribs with Louis Laing (groin) still missing and Keith Lasley a major doubt with a dead leg.

McGhee said at his Thursday morning media conference: “We had to shut down the club yesterday. We had the entire under-20s wiped out by a virus, we had six of the first-team squad showing symptoms.

“At the moment our count seems to be about 15 which includes two or three of the young boys who have never been involved at first-team level.

“So it’s looking pretty grim at the moment with Lasley, Pearson and Louis Laing all injured.

“Of the team who have been starting of late, we have probably got about six training this morning. If we turn up tomorrow with another three or four missing then we would be considering seriously whether the game can go ahead.

“But if I have nine or 10 of the ones that have been playing every week, then I will be quite content to go into the game. I don’t want to go in with six though.”

When asked whether the club would consider making an official request to the Scottish Professional Football League, McGhee added: “If we had another three or four showing these symptoms and unable to train, then it would leave me with no choice.

“I mean, I might only have nine players including the entire under-20s. I can’t go into a football match with eight or nine players.”

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