Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dons boss McInnes has faith in depth of squad
A BE R DE E N ma nager Derek McInnes is confident his squad has enough strength in depth for the first half of the campaign.
There have been nine new recruits at Pittodrie over the summer following the arrival of Craig Bryson, Ash Taylor, Curtis Main, Ryan Hedges, James Wilson and Funso Ojo along with loan signings Jon Gallagher, Greg Leigh and Zak Vyner.
While some clubs in Scotland are scrambling to bolster their ranks before the transfer window shuts on September 2, McInnes is not planning any new additions.
There could be at least one departure with the Dons and St Johnstone holding talks over Stevie May’s possible return to Perth but the Dons boss said he knew nothing about speculation linking striker Sam Cosgrove with Serie A side Lazio.
McInnes is content he has enough attacking players if May returns to McDiarmid Park before the deadline.
He said: “Once we have a fully fit squad, there will be enough options.
“We have utilised the budget the best way possible by bringing in nine new signings. We have spent £125,000 putting this squad together and I’m pleased with what we have done.
“It is time to knuckle down and look for better performances individually and as a team. Once the window closes, it settles everybody down.”
Meanwhile, Dons winger Hedges was rewarded for his impressive start to life at Pittodrie with a call-up to the Wales squad for next month’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan and friendly against Belarus. The 24-year-old has been capped three times by his country.