Derek McInnes plans talks with Derby County next week over extending Max Lowe’s loan.
The promising full-back has impressed in recent weeks for Aberdeen but sees his loan run out in the first week of January, which both player and manager are keen on extending.
It is understood Derby are keen on recruiting a left-back in January, as Scott Malone is currently their only fit option. Scot Craig Forsyth damaged his anterior cruciate ligament against Aston Villa last month and is expected to be out for the rest of the season.
Rams boss Frank Lampard said last week the loan had been great for Lowe and he was impressed with the defender’s performance in the Betfred Cup final against Celtic. He shone against Rangers at Ibrox and again on Tuesday night against Livingston, with McInnes hoping supporters get to see plenty more of the 21-year-old.
He said: “His recall is the first week of January so I’ll probably talk to Frank and Derby next week and see where we’re at, but hopefully he can come to Dubai.
“Considering he’s so young, it’s clear that he’s making those improvements every week. Defensively he’s tightened up and his game is good. There is still aspects he can improve on but like a lot of good modern full-backs, his best form of defending is attacking. He forces his opponent back the way.
“His fitness and his high intensity speed work is through the roof. He covers the ground at a real pace and he’s given us a real drive and creativity from the left hand side at times. He’s a great boy and he’s keen to stay but he’s Derby’s player and we’ve got to respect their wishes on that.”
The rest of the Dons loanees – James Wilson, Dominic Ball and Tommie Hoban – are all with the club until the end of the season, with their parent clubs having recall options – the same as Aberdeen have with their five players who are out on loan.
McInnes’ side face St Mirren in Paisley this afternoon, with the game coming too soon for both Mikey Devlin (ankle) and Gary Mackay-Steven (concussion). The Aberdeen manager remains hopeful of Mackay-Steven making a return soon but the final call will remain with the club’s medical team.
He added: “He’s probably got a wee bit of work to do to be sure of that. It’s still shy of two weeks, it feels longer than that, since it happened. We’ve got to bow to the expertise on the medical side, as frustrating as that is because Gary is eager to get involved.
“He’s been in and around the place and desperate to get back to doing what he was doing before because he was in a good vein of form. We don’t want him missing too many games. There’s plenty of important games coming up so hopefully he’ll be available for as many of them as possible.”
Frank Ross, Hoban and Mark Reynolds are also out for today’s game.