Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes Scott McKenna’s return to fitness has come at just the right time for the threadbare Dons defence.
McKenna is in contention for a return to action at St Johnstone on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered on the opening day of the Premiership campaign in the 1-1 draw with Rangers.
The Dons head to McDiarmid Park without the services of three defenders with Mikey Devlin suspended while Mark Reynolds and Tommie Hoban are injured.
McInnes is delighted to have his in-demand central defender, who was the subject of a £7million deadline day offer from Championship side Aston Villa, back in the fold.
The Dons boss said: “McKenna was back in training on Tuesday and he looked absolutely brilliant. It was great to have him back and the timing couldn’t be better with Mikey sitting out Saturday’s game.
“We’ve had real problems defensively so far this season with Shay Logan missing three games due to suspension then losing Mark Reynolds, Scott and Tommie Hoban.
“We can’t seem to get out of the bit at the minute and it feels as if all the injuries are happening defensively which is why it feels great to have Scott back. With the problems we have in that area it’s clearly very important he’s back.”
Hoban is due to undergo surgery on his shoulder in London next week while McInnes hopes his international players return unscathed at training today.
Dons captain Graeme Shinnie returned on Tuesday from national duty with Scotland while Niall McGinn was on international duty with Northern Ireland and Lewis Ferguson played in the Scottish under-21s win against the Netherlands.
He said: “Scott Wright is progressing well but he is a few weeks away while Frank Ross was sent back from the under-21s due to a back spasm and he is a fresh doubt for the weekend too.
“We’re keeping our fingers cross Niall and Lewis come back okay while Danny Rogers is back with us for treatment following his injury at St Mirren.”
The number of injuries at Pittodrie is a concern for the Aberdeen manager but he hopes to have some good news with at least one player set to return for the trip to McDiarmid Park.
He said: “There are too many players in the treatment room at the minute for my liking but we’re hoping Jamie Wilson will be fit to play on Saturday.”