Dons striker Stockley out to go into break on a high

Jayden Stockley is keen for Aberdeen to go into the international break on a high.

The Dons have lost just once in their last eight games and sit second in the Ladbrokes Premiership table as they await the visit of Hearts ahead of a twoweek break before the next game.

The 23-year-old striker does not want to stew during that period due to a negative result on Saturday.

He told the Pittodrie club’s official website: “If you have a bad result before the international break it leaves you a bit annoyed for a while.

“We want to put in a really good performance so we can enjoy the break even more. “That is a bit of motivation for us.” The two sides fought out a goalless draw at Pittodrie in August, with a Jonny Hayes goal proving the difference at Tynecastle in December.

Stockley is anticipating another tough test against the fourth-placed Jambos.

He said: “We are extremely confident here on what we are doing and what we want to achieve. The confidence in the dressing room is very high.”

Dons defender Andrew Considine returns from suspension but Mark Reynolds is out for four weeks after hernia surgery.

Aaron Hughes has rejoined the Hearts squad ahead of the trip north.

The veteran Northern Ireland centre-back has not featured for the Jambos since last month’s humiliating William Hill Scottish Cup exit at the hands of city rivals Hibernian, but he has shaken off the calf strain that has caused him to miss three games.

Elsewhere today Inverness CT host Ross County in the Highland derby, while Partick Thistle are away to Kilmarnock.