Mitov injury 'better than expected' - Aberdeen boss

Dimitar Mitov has had an injury interrupted season

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin says goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov's shoulder injury is a "little better" than they were expecting, but it is unclear if he will be fit for next month's Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts.

The 28-year-old sustained the knock while playing for Bulgaria during their Nations League play-off first leg defeat by the Republic of Ireland last week.

It is a setback for Mitov, who recently returned to action for the Dons after a spell out with a hamstring injury.

"It was a little better than we were first expecting," Thelin said. "It is more about weeks and not longer than that, but let's see.

"They are working a lot with him now but I think it is some weeks ahead, it was a small muscle injury in the shoulder."

When asked how confident he was that Mitov would be available for the Hampden date with Hearts on 19 of April, the manager replied: "Let's see, we take it day by day and week by week but I think it is in quite a good timeline for us but let's see."

One player that does appear unlikely to feature at the national stadium is midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen.

The Norwegian has missed the past two games with an eye injury.

And, speaking before Saturday's Premiership visit of Motherwell, Thelin said it does not look like he will be back in action any time soon.

"It is a quite unusual injury and we just have to wait and see, but the timeline there is much longer," said Thelin.

Latvia captain Kristers Tobers, who arrived during the January transfer window, also remains out with a hamstring injury.

And Thelin added: "It is more about weeks not months, but it is difficult to say the exact timeline but I am quite positive there also.

"They are working so hard together the medical team, the performance and the players but we have to wait and see and don't do anything that can make it worse."