Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged midfielder Peter Pawlett to seize his opportunity to re-establish himself at Pittodrie.
With Jonny Hayes out due to a hamstring strain former Scotland squad player Pawlett impressed in his first league start since March 2 in the goalless draw against Hearts last weekend and McInnes wants more of the same from the 25-year-old.
Championship club Hibernian wanted Pawlett, who missed the end of last season due to a broken arm, on loan, but McInnes wants Pawlett to stay and compete for his place.
He said: “Hibs asked about Peter, but I would have to think long and hard about letting him leave as we feel he has the chance to become a regular here.
“He is from the area, his wife is pregnant and he wants to be here. We want him to be here too and I was really delighted with his performance last week.
“Getting sent off in pre-season at Arbroath didn’t help him as we could have done with him being involved in the two games he was suspended for.
“He did well on Saturday though and hopefully that will give him the confidence to go on and establish himself again and play regularly here.
“Peter showed exactly what he was capable of in my first season here. He played in a position I thought suited him but he has to grab those opportunities when they come.
“It is such an important position and rather than dwell on his past couple of seasons I am looking at last Saturday and I was pleased with what he gave us.”
Caley Thistle have expressed an interest in midfielder Scott Wright but McInnes turned down an approach from Inverness manager Richie Foran while similar enquiries for a short-term loan for summer signing Callum Morris have also been rejected.
McInnes said: “Callum has been training great and will be involved in the development game on Tuesday.
“I don’t see the benefit of Callum going on loan short term. We’re hoping he can get some game time here and if anybody is going on loan it will be one or two younger ones.
“Scott Wright won’t be one of them. Richie Foran asked the question three or four weeks ago but he couldn’t guarantee Scott would play every week and for me there was no point in letting him go.
“Since then Jonny Hayes has been injured and Scott is doing well.”