Hernia op delays Maloney’s Dons move

Aberdeen remain keen to sign Scotland international Shaun Maloney – even if the 34-year-old is unable to feature in the Europa League qualifying campaign.

The former Celtic player was expected to sign for the Dons yesterday but the move has been put on hold due to an injury concern.

The Dons are keeping quiet on the nature of the injury that has delayed the signing but it is understood Maloney requires a hernia operation after putting surgery on hold to try to help Hull City avoid relegation from the English Premier League.

If that is the case, Maloney would be sidelined for four to six weeks and would miss the upcoming Europa League qualifier against either NK Siroki Brijeg from Bosnia or Kazakhstan side Ordabasy.

The deadline for next week’s first leg encounter at Pittodrie is Friday, although one additional player can be added to the squad a day before the first leg.

Maloney’s injury problem is a blow for the Dons who have also been dealt a setback in their hopes of signing former St Johnstone forward Stevie May from Preston.

The Lilywhites last night named former Hamilton Accies boss Alex Neil as Simon Grayson’s replacement following his move to Sunderland.

May is expected to be part of the Preston squad that takes on Bamber Bridge in a friendly on Friday before heading to a six-day training camp in Ireland and unlikely to be granted a move back to Scotland until the new Deepdale manager has fully assessed his squad.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, meanwhile, has stepped up his hunt for a new central defender to replace Ash Taylor – and could be poised to bring a former Don back to Pittodrie.

McInnes is interested in 34-year-old Icelandic international Kari Arnason, who has been playing in Cyprus with Omonia. Arnason scored three goals in 40 appearances during season 2011-12.