Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood was forced to give his players Monday and Tuesday off to try to prevent an outbreak of flu spreading throughout the squad. Captain Scott Severin and defender Zander Diamond are the latest victims and join Lee Mair, Richard Foster and Gary McDonald on the sick list.

Calderwood said: "This outbreak of flu is a real worry ahead of Saturday's game at Hamilton.

"We'll just have to monitor the situation day to day and see what happens.

"We're on a run of four consecutive wins and are aiming to extend that at New Douglas Park, which is a tough venue. But it will be even harder if key players are ruled out.

"On the advice of the club doctor, we gave them Monday and Tuesday off to keep the players away from each other to try to stop the spread of the illness but you don't know if this will work.

"Having a couple of days off won't do any harm because their fitness levels are excellent.

"We will train tomorrow and again on Friday before we leave for Hamilton."