DONS BENEFIT FROM CITY LINKS SIGNING

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes says the relationship between his club and Manchester City is paying dividends this January.

The Dons yesterday revealed a loan deal to bring Chidi Nwakali to the club on loan for the remainder of the season from City, though it is still subject to a work permit coming through.

City have a number of youngsters out on loan in the Ladbrokes Premiership, including the likes of Patrick Roberts, Brandon Barker and Ashley Smith-Brown, and McInnes is keen to take advantage of the relationship while helping Nwakali push his claim for a World Cup place.

“Chidi is a player we’ve looked at over the past couple of months,” he said. “Manchester City and ourselves have got a decent relationship and we’ve always kept in open dialogue with them.

“They’ve got numerous players they need to get out playing football and, while we have not been able to bring anybody up until now, we’ve always had t hat relationship with them.

“They see us as a good club for them to showcase their youngsters and give them that experience.

“Chidi was one we felt could have been a possibility for January and we’ve been monitoring his work over the last couple of months.

“W i t h G r e g Ta n s e y moving on, it was one we felt left us a little light in the middle of the park so Chidi comes in.”