Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has revealed defender Andy Considine is closing in on a contract extension.
The 33-year-old, who made his Scotland debut earlier this month, is in the final year of his current deal.
But McInnes says the defender will automatically trigger a one-year extension when he plays a specific number of games this season.
Considine has made 530 appearances for the Dons, including 12 this term, and sits sixth in the all-time records for most Aberdeen appearances.
Only Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, Bobby Clark, Stewart McKimmie and Jim Leighton have played more games for the Dons than the Banchory-born defender.
Considine is closing in on a place in the top five and is only five games short of goalkeeper Leighton’s total.
McInnes expects the defender to have at least another season at Pittodrie to keep adding to his tally.
Considine has enjoyed a stellar month having helped Scotland to 1-0 wins against Slovakia and the Czech Republic in the Nations League after his long wait for international recognition finally came to an end.
The central defender will be hoping to create more positive memories at Hampden this Sunday when the Dons face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
The Dons boss said: “He has got a trigger which we agreed on and we are in control of that.
“He will meet those games pretty quickly as he has been an ever-present. Without saying it for certainty, the likelihood is he will be here again for at least another season.”
The Aberdeen manager, meanwhile, remains open to the possibility of Marley Watkins extending his stint with the Dons.
The Wales international is on loan at Pittodrie from Bristol City until January but the Dons boss admitted he may explore the possibility of keeping the 30-year-old at the club for the remainder of the campaign.
The loan signing of Watkins was sanctioned by the Dons board after last season’s top scorer Sam Cosgrove as well as Ryan Edmondson and Curtis Main were sidelined with injuries.
McInnes said: “We have had no further conversations with Marley or Bristol on that. I know Marley is really enjoying it.
“Whether that can be extended is something we will maybe look at further down the line. I’m really enjoying working with him. He has been a key player for us and he offers us something different.
“He is very secure in possession and can play a number of positions and roles.”
On-loan Leeds United striker Edmondson will return to training with the Dons today after being rested as a precaution after suffering a head knock against Celtic in Sunday’s 3-3 draw.