Ayo Obileye will miss the rest of the season due to a suspected ligament injury

The 28-year-old had to leave the field injured in the second half of Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Hibernian with a suspected internal ligament injury.

“I think it’s bad,” Martindale said Monday. “He’ll go for the MRI once the swelling has gone down. If I say a bad one, we think he’ll miss the rest of the season and possibly a bit of pre-season. It’s not a great one.”

Obileye’s injury coupled with the suspension of fellow centre-back Jack Fitzwater means Dominican Republic defender Luiyi de Lucas, who joined us in January, will make his first home start against Dundee United on Wednesday.

“Big Luiyi has been in (training) since early December now, so there’s plenty of adjustment time there,” Martindale said.

“His chance may have come a little sooner than I thought but I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m more than happy to have used him as a right centre-back.”

Martindale, meanwhile, has “taken full responsibility” for his red card towards the end of Saturday’s game.

The Lions boss was initially upset at being sent to the stands for “jokingly” showing his middle finger and saying “one minute” when Hibs goalkeeper David Marshall called to the sidelines to ask how long the game still lasts.

After giving himself time to think, Martindale said Monday he would accept any punishment that came his way.

“I take full responsibility for that,” he said. “That was a bit immature of me. I had a little banter with David Marshall, but I have to realize that people see me as a leader and I shouldn’t have.

“It was irresponsible, I understand that. I let myself and the club down. I expect to get banned. I used it jokingly and David laughed. I went in and spoke to the linesman after the game.

“I said you need to see the gesture in the context in which it was used, but he said it was just the gesture. At that point I was frustrated and I never really took his point, if I’m honest. But a little bit later I was sitting in the house and I was like, “I actually see it from his point of view”.

“I was wrong, plain and simple. I shouldn’t have, jokingly or not. Whatever the SFA wants to do, I take it to the point and move on.”

Martindale also used his pre-game media conference call to call for “more protection” for the imposition of Livi striker Joel Nouble.

“Joel is old school, he’s absolutely honest,” said the Lions boss. “He gets fouled but still tries to keep his balance and that then leads to a pass where the execution isn’t quite there.

“I think referees can help players like Joel Nouble. Sometimes three or four players are hanging on him and pulling him, but because he’s 6ft 3in it kind of goes unnoticed and it’s allowed, while if you do that to Bruce Anderson he gets a foul.

“It’s a testament to Joel’s character that he still tries to stay up when he’s fouled, but I would like a little more protection for Joel.”