James McGarry suffers nightmare start in Greece as Aberdeen loanee learns extent of knee problem

Aberdeen defender James McGarry has suffered an early blow to life on loan at Kallithea.

The New Zealand international has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a knee injury. The left-back limped off in the weekend defeat to Panetolikos. A Kallithea statement confirmed: “AKFC left back James McGarry suffered a Grade 1-2 left semitendinosus muscle strain in Sunday's match against Panaitolikos.

“The examination was performed by the Director of Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Christos Theos, and the team physician, Dr. Nikolaos Pikoulis, at the Metropolitan Hospital in Athens. McGarry is expected to be out of action for approximately four to six weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery, James.”

It is a blow for both McGarry and struggling Kallithea. The 26-year-old moved to Greece to get regular first-team football after falling behind Jack MacKenzie and Alexander Jensen in the fight for the left-back slot at Aberdeen under Jimmy Thelin.

Kallithea are currently second bottom of the Greek Super League and relegation is looking like a distinct possibility although they are only three or four points away from those teams directly above them. McGarry, who Barry Robson signed from Australian side Central Coast Mariners in 2023, still has another year left on his Pittodrie contract beyond this one.