Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes hopes Andrew Driver can save him a job this summer by proving he is the wide midfielder he is looking for.
The current campaign is far from over but the Dons manager has already identified a creative midfielder as a priority purchase during the upcoming transfer window.
Former Hearts and Houston Dynamo midfielder Driver has been given the opportunity to fill the gap after signing a short-term deal until the end of the season.
With Jonny Hayes missing because of a calf injury, the 27-year-old could make his debut against Motherwell tonight when the Dons attempt to reduce Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points.
McInnes said: “We want to bring another wide player to the club next season. We’ve got a chance to look at Andy between now and the end of the season to see if he’s the player.
“Jeffrey Monakana left in January and, although we signed Kenny McLean, we never signed another wide player.
“I was always keen to do that. I like having wingers in the team and available for us in the squad the way we play.
“Jonny Hayes is injured and Andy showed enough in training to suggest he can offer us something between now and the end of the season.
“He may well be the winger we’re looking for next season as well.”
McInnes, meanwhile, is wary of a Motherwell side that appears to have turned a corner under Ian Baraclough.
The Steelmen ended an eight-game winless run with a 2-1 victory against Caley Thistle before last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock moved them off the bottom of the table.
Adam Rooney scored twice when the sides last met at Fir Park in January, with the 2-0 win sending the Dons four points clear at the top of the table.
The Aberdeen manager said: “There will be four or five changes in the Motherwell side from the last time we played them.
“They have been rewarded in their last two games. They have been very positive in their approach, playing 4-4-2.
“They seem to have more energy about them and probably the biggest compliment I can pay to them is that they are looking more like the team that we have played over the past two seasons.
“They have four points from their last two games and they look like a team that has realised the situation they’re in and are determined to do something about it.
“Suddenly, the teams at the bottom of the table are starting to find a bit of form. Having watched Motherwell’s last two games, they look a better side than when we last played them.”