Hamilton Accies ace out for six months as boss reveals horror skull fracture gave team-mates a fright

Hamilton defender Kyle MacDonald has been released from hospital but ruled out for SIX MONTHS following his horror skull fracture in Saturday's defeat to Alloa.

Boss John Rankin says the player’s health is paramount and will visit him at his home tomorrow (Friday), with MacDonald being monitored regularly.

The former Airdrie and Dunfermline defender was injured following a heavy collision during Saturday’s 2-1 League One defeat at home to Alloa Athletic, and taken to hospital.

MacDonald, 24, collided with former Hamilton star Miko Virtanen at a corner, with play held up for six minutes early in the first half.

The injury was so severe it left a crack of around 10 centimetres in MacDonald's skull.

Rankin explained the extent of the horror injury and says MacDonald will only return to the squad when he is fully ready.

He said: “Macca fractured his skull, we kind of knew that at the time, and so did the players.

“It’s a crack at the top of his eye right, round to the back of his ear, so it can affect balance and stuff as well.

“Everybody got a fright, lots of players haven’t seen that before, it wasn’t great.

“Macca got out of hospital yesterday, so that’s a bonus, but he will be out for the best part of six months, now. It’s a time to realise his body needs to recover from it.

“The main thing for him is that he is okay. His health is the most important thing, that was my biggest concern.

“We won’t see him until next season. The most important thing is that he is okay and he has a good support network round about him.

“Our physio has been to hospital, I’m going to pop to the house and see him tomorrow.

“I have to say the Alloa players and manager gave him a text as well, so that was very warming."

Rankin added: “He’s such a