I’m way-haying up my options
McInnes delighted with strength in depth as he prepares to welcome back four stars from injury
DEREK McINNES insists the return of Aberdeen’s forgotten men can drive a survival of the fittest mentality at Pittodrie.
The Dons boss has revealed Sam Cosgrove, Matty Kennedy, Mikey Devlin and Greg Leigh will all be included in the squad for tonight’s Premiership clash with Hamilton.
That quartet combined with the likes of Dean Campbell and Curtis Main, who remain sidelined, can provide a show of strength and depth for the challenges ahead.
McInnes believes having this batch of comeback players at his disposal is another reminder of the talent and quality he’ll soon be able to call on.
He said: “We had a training session on Sunday and the players who played on Saturday were in recovery and did the majority of their work in the gym with the sports science boys. The training session we took, there was a real strength in that.
“There were quality players and it was just a reminder of the strength and options we have.
“It doesn’t make my job any easier in terms of picking the team but in terms of having that confidence in the squad and options it’s brilliant.
“The players aren’t here to play on the periphery, they’re here to come and play games. That competition is always healthy for a team.
“As for the four lads who have been out for a while, Greg Leigh has just signed while Mikey Devlin, Matty Kennedy and big Sam Cosgrove have put together good consecutive days of training. Greg and Mikey will come into it defensively and Sam and Matty will be in the squad too.
“All the lads are still a bit short but the next step in their progression is being part of the squad, building up their training minutes and hopefully getting some game time.”
McInnes knows from personal experience how it can feel to become surplus to requirements and admits he has addressed his squad over the need to have every player pushing to be the first name in his team.
He said: “I spoke to the players about the training session we had on Sunday. Not just the strength of the session but also the quality of the session and the eagerness of everybody to put their hand up and say, ‘Here I am.’
“I’ve been that guy who is training on a Sunday after not being part of it on a Saturday and it can be a tough session.
“There can be a lot of long faces and feeling not part of it or thinking you can only get back in if there are injuries or the team is losing and nobody wants that.
“But having strength will be pivotal to us throughout the season. It’s trying to make sure everyone feels part of it.
“The motivation was bang on. You can’t always play your way into the team through your training but you can play your way out of the team if you are not training right.
“But the boys were doing everything they could and I was delighted by their response and by the level of performances we are getting.
“Hopefully we can have that again against Hamilton.”
Dons fans will be delighted to see Cosgrove back as last season’s top scorer steps up his recovery from a knee injury sustained in a friendly against Hibs.
The Englishman’s decision to reject a move to Guingamp after a £2.7million bid from was accepted is water under the bridge for McInnes who is just thrilled to have his main man back in contention.
He said: “Sam made the decision to stay put, as is his right. Not too long afterwards he picked up what we felt was a serious injury just the week before the season kicked off.
“It was a real blow for us and him. The news we got wasn’t as bad as we feared but significant enough to keep him out this length of time.
“With the league closing down in March and getting back in June, Sam’s probably only had three weeks of work in that period.
“We’re all eager to get our top scorer from the last couple of seasons back into the swing of things but we’ve got to be mindful of that [his lack of training].
“At the same time he’s the type of guy who can make the difference and would bring a good balance to what we’ve already got.
“We’ve got a lot of speed, a lot of movement, a lot of energy and been carrying a far more attacking threat which is pleasing.”
Dons striker Marley Watkins has called on his side to be more clinical after a 0-0 draw at Dundee United.
He said: “We played some good stuff at times and were the better team but ultimately it’s about putting the ball in the net.
“There’s nothing we can do about Saturday – we just have to try to put it right against Hamilton.”