Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood is set leave players out of the squad for the Scottish Cup tie on Alloa's plastic pitch. Calderwood believes the likes of captain Scott Severin, Zander Diamond, Darren Mackie, Lee Mair, Derek Young, Stuart Duff and Jamie Smith could face long-term injuries if they play on the artificial surface - all have had surgery on groin and leg injuries in the past.

Calderwood said: "We'll consult our medical people before reaching any decision but important players may have to miss this tie for their own good.

"I've always been opposed to artificial pitches. I had one in my time at Dunfermline and it was not ideal. During my time at East End Park, 12 players required operations for hernias. There was no proof the surface was responsible but it seemed more than coincidence.

"Quite a few of our players have suffered similar injuries in the past which needed surgery and that could rule them out this tie.

"It's vital to our ambitions to go one better this year in this competition but we have a massive league game at Kilmarnock to consider.

"We'll try out the surface tomorrow at Recreation Park and experiment with a few things but the players' history with groin and abdominal problems will be taken into account.

"The all-weather pitch is not perfect by any means but we have to be as professional as possible and get on with the job of reaching the next round."