Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hopes to bring at least one new player to Pittodrie during the January transfer window after Norwich City confirmed the extention of James Maddison’s loan spell.
The Dons, who travel to Tynecastle to face Ian Cathro’s Hearts tonight, have been boosted by the retention of 20-year-old midfielder Maddison services for the second half of the season.
McInnes expects there to be more transfer activity next month at Pittodrie.
He said: “There are talks planned with our out-of-contract players for the beginning of January. We are keen to get one or two signed up again for next season.
“I am relaxed about that and confident we will have some good news coming out in January.
“We have already received good news regarding James over the last couple of days.
“We have spoken with Norwich and James will extend his loan until the end of the season.
“I am delighted with the squad at the minute but I would like to strengthen and maybe bring in at least one more player if possible.
“There may be something done with one or two of our players who want to go and play regular football elsewhere.
“That may give us the option to bring in one or two ourselves.”
McInnes, meanwhile, has spoken to Maddison after he picked up his third booking of the season for simulation in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory against Hamilton.
He added: “He has got to make sure he takes the contact in these situations. He anticipates the contact and goes down too early.
“I have been asked a lot about how many kicks he takes during games.
“That is something he is going to have to deal with and sort out and we will help him.”
The Dons, meanwhile, will face Uzbekistan side FC Bunyodkor during their mid-season trip to Dubai next month during the winter break.
The match will take place on Sunday, January 15.