Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has urged his players to make the most of their last chance to make the team for next week’s Betfred Cup final against Celtic.
The Dons return from the international break with this weekend’s match against Richie Foran’s in-form Caley Thistle, who have lost only two of their previous 10 matches.
A much bigger obstacle and occasion looms large on the horizon with the eagerly anticipated Hampden showdown against Celtic taking place a week on Sunday.
McInnes hopes the added motivation of earning a place in his starting team to face the Hoops can give the Dons an added edge this Saturday.
He said: “I think there might be an element of that.
“The players will be keen to do well after the win against Partick Thistle before the break but as a club we have to make sure we don’t have one eye on the cup final and lose sight of this one.
“The players will be keen to do well so they strengthen their chances when the cup final comes around.
“But they are two different games.
“I want us to do well on Saturday regardless and that will require another strong performance.”
Central defender Ash Taylor is winning his race to be fit for the final after returning to full training.
The 26-year-old has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury six minutes into the 4-0 victory against Ross County on October 15.
But Taylor could make his first appearance in more than a month this weekend.
McInnes said: “Ash has been in full training since the end of last week and it is great to have him back available.
“Scott Wright is still struggling with a hamstring injury so the game may come too soon for him.
“Hopefully Niall McGinn will come back from international duty good to go and we are almost at full strength this weekend.”
Aberdeen’s under-20 side suffered a 1-0 defeat by Dunfermline Athletic at New Central Park in Kelty with Pars forward Scott Lochhead scoring the game’s only goal after 21 minutes.