Barry Robson could be in contention to make his Aberdeen return after the international break.
Dons manager Derek McInnes is pleased the end to Robson’s knee injury woes is in sight, with the player planning the game against Dundee United for his comeback.
Both Niall McGinn and Willo Flood are back off the treatment table for the Pittodrie club and veteran midfielder Robson is set to join them after undergoing minor knee surgery in August.
The 34-year-old’s long-awaited comeback, after getting injured in the first game of the season against Kilmarnock, will provide an extra threat from set-pieces, reckons McInnes.
The former Caley Thistle, Dundee United and Celtic player will be back in training before the Tangerines face the Dons in the Granite City on Saturday, October 19.
McInnes said: “If we stick to the plan the surgeon and specialist suggested we would like to think he (Robson) could be training with us at the beginning of next week. He has only played one game but he does have an influence.
“In pre-season he certainly gave us that influence. He gave us a bit of real competitive edge and quality. We did not work the goalkeeper enough (in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat) against Ross County and someone like Robson can give you that. We had umpteen corner kicks and free kicks into their box and I don’t think we got as much from that as we should have done.”
McInnes was left to reflect on a lack of rhythm in the Dons play as they struggled to break down the Staggies at Victoria Park to fall to their third league defeat of the campaign.
He said: “There was not much in the game. I did not think we were great and I did not think County were great.
“It was a battling performance and one goal was always going to decide it. We were hoping it was going to be us through showing a bit of quality. Both teams worked extremely hard and there was not a lot of quality on show. County got the goal and they had something to hold on to.
“For us, it was disappointing we did not do enough up until then, in terms of the tempo our play, to get the first goal. It was not until County scored that we showed that tempo.”