Aberdeen have suffered another injury blow with midfielder Stephen Hughes facing a month out after limping off in the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone.

The 29-year-old hurt his hamstring in the first half and joins Isaac Osbourne, Peter Pawlett and Chris Clark, who have suffered similar problems.

Craig Brown said it was a blow to lose another player at such a crucial time of the season.

He said: "It's unaccountable why we are getting all these hamstring injuries. The only theory I have is that we are forced up here to train on different surfaces.

"We have five different training surfaces, including the beach and indoors, and the legs have to adjust every time you train on a different surface.

"The surface was a bit greasy after the snow that had fallen and Stephen stretched when he went to take a shot and pulled his hamstring.

"He has been very good for us and never gives the ball away so hopefully we can get him fit again."

Brown was relatively content to take a point but added that his team must start winning more games if they are to gain a top six spot.

He added: "We have had too many draws to make an impact on the league. You will be satisfactory and safe there but you won't make an impact unless you start getting three points.

"We were aware of that and we took a chance by putting on Darren Mackie, Mohamed Chalali and Daniel Uchechi, which were all positive substitutions in an attempt to get that elusive goal. On another day we might have got it but St Johnstone defended well."

IN DETAIL

• Match report: Aberdeen 0-0 St Johnstone