Aberdeen assistant manager Tony Docherty believes the returning Jonny Hayes can play a pivotal part in the league run-in.
The Irish midfielder has been one of the Dons’ top performers this season and is back in the squad for today’s Scottish Premiership match against Partick Thistle after a month on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old suffered a calf injury in last month’s 4-0 defeat by Celtic but is in contention for a starting berth in today’s Pittodrie encounter.
Docherty said: “Jonny has been great this year.
“He has played left back, left midfield, wide left and wide right and whatever position he plays he brings a real level of consistency in his performances which I think is something that could maybe have been aimed at him previously.
“He’s a fantastic professional – any club would miss him being out the team. He brings pace, competitiveness and a real edge to our play.
“It’s great to have him back and in contention for a place. Everyone knows how valuable a member of the team he is.
“We have a fantastic squad here but certainly when you bring players back who have been doing well consistently it has a knock-on effect for others.”
Willo Flood and Peter Pawlett are also back available for selection, with captain Russell Anderson the only notable absentee to face the Jags.
Docherty said: “We are just pleased that everyone is back now and staking a claim. We’re going into the final stretch of the season and we want to finish as strong as we can.
“The international break meant we managed to rest a few boys and others managed to get some game time through Andrew Considine’s testimonial.
“On Thursday we had a full squad training apart from Russell, who is making good progress. To have 22 players fit and in contention for places is fantastic.”
But Docherty is wary of an in-form Partick Thistle side that has moved away from the threat of relegation with some crucial wins.
He added: “I think you only look at current form and they have won three of their last four games.
“They have beaten good teams. They beat St Johnstone 3-0 at home, Inverness 1-0 at home and Dundee United 2-0 away.
“Three or four weeks ago people were asking questions about them but they have responded.
“We realise it’s going to be a very tough game against a good team and we’ll need to bring a strong Aberdeen performance to get all three points.”