Derek McInnes is keen to get Greg Tansey back to full fitness again ahead of a hectic December.
Former Caley Thistle midfielder Tansey has been out for the majority of this year with a recurring groin problem, which has required three surgeries and restricted him to three appearances in 2018, that came on loan at Ross County.
Tansey has been training for the past month and played in the reserve game against Rangers a fortnight ago, as he chases match-fitness for the first time in his Aberdeen career.
There had been talk over the summer that there was no future for Tansey at Pittodrie, given the options McInnes now had available , but the Dons boss would like to see him back and ready to play.
McInnes said: “Tansey has been back training for two-and-a-half weeks. He has kept himself in brilliant condition, which is credit to him.
“Playing games is a step towards getting him back to full fitness. When will he be back? Who knows, there is nothing set in stone. We have to be fair to the boy and allow him to keep training and sharpening up his work. He has been out for a long time.
“In fairness to Greg, he has never been fully fit since signing. He kept the little groin problem he had quite quiet as he didn’t want to flag something up when he was just in the door. He has never been fully fit in an Aberdeen shirt so hopefully now he gets a wee run at it and finds his peak fitness.
“We have a lot of games ahead of us in December when it will be all hands to the pump.”
Another midfielder who has found opportunities scarce in the Granite City is Chris Forrester, who joined in the summer from Peterborough for £200,000. He has made just one start and six substitute appearances but McInnes is happy with the options he has in the middle of the park.
He added: “I have been pleased with the majority of what we have been getting through the middle of the park just now. For anyone who is not in the team then the onus is on them to train well and try and make sure they take their opportunities when they come in. Sometimes it takes some players longer to settle at a club but the majority of our players are still searching for their best form.”