DONS HOPING TO TIE UP MALONEY DEAL

ABERDEEN expect to tie up the signing of Shaun Maloney this week — and manager Derek McInnes is hoping for another three or four signings before the season starts.

“We’ve brought in Greg Tansey, Ryan Christie and Greg Stewart and, hopefully, Shaun will be with us soon,” Derek said.

“I’m also looking to bring in a wide player, a striker and a centre-back.”

The Dons have been linked with ex-St Johnstone striker Stevie May, who is with Preston, and McInnes added that contact had been made with the Lancashire club.

However, Preston are on t he hunt f or a new manager f ollowing t he exit of Simon Grayson to Sunderland and nothing is likely to be decided until a new boss comes in at Deepdale.

One player not joining up at Aberdeen is Dundonian Kevin McNaughton. He came on as a substitute in the win at Per th over St Johnstone but is not being offered a deal.

“Kevin has been training with us but we are covered in the full-back area, so we won’t be signing him,” Derek went on.

“He’s friendly with our keeper, Joe Lewis, as they were at Cardiff together and we are giving him training facilities. Hopefully, that can help him get fixed up.”

Derek felt his side’s game against Saints was “competitive enough.” He added: “I was pleased with a lot of things.”