Nwakali can be Nigeria’s World Cup Don, says McInnes

DEREK McInnEs has challenged loan signing Chidi nwakali to use Aberdeen as a platform to reach this summer’s World Cup Finals.

The 21-year-old nigerian midfielder has joined the Pittodrie side at their winter training camp in Dubai after agreeing to move north from Manchester City until the end of the season, pending the acquisition of a work permit.

The youngster is poised to replace Greg Tansey, who has gone on loan to Ross County, in the squad for the second half of the campaign — and McInnes has urged him to force his way into his country’s plans for the showpiece in Russia.

‘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,’ said the Dons boss.

‘With Greg Tansey moving on, it was one we felt left us a little light in the middle of the park, so Chidi comes in, subject to a work permit.

‘He’s settled in great and he’s had a good day’s work. He flew out on his own last night, came in the early hours of this morning and was really keen to get involved. Hopefully, we can get him in an Aberdeen shirt before too long.

‘What we like about him is he’s got real energy, but he’s also someone who can work the ball well, as you’d expect from someone from Man City. Whether he plays in a defined role as a centre midfielder or one where he can get about in there, I think he can do both.

‘He’s got a bit of everything from what you want from all your central midfield players. I think he’ll fit in well because it’s so important for him to try and be part of the nigeria squad for the World Cup.

‘There’s an importance for him to play regularly and showcase himself and at our club hopefully we get the benefit of that.’

nigeria have been drawn in the same World Cup group as Iceland, raising the possibility of nwakali coming head-to-head with club-mate Kari Arnason in the Volgograd Arena on June 22.

‘We were talking about that earlier on,’ said McInnes. ‘shay (Logan) said to him he’s got nothing to worry about with Iceland as he’s seen them play a few times.

‘That would be something special — and we’ve spoken before about how special it is for Arnason representing Iceland at the World Cup.

‘Both players will have that motivation in the second part of the campaign to make sure they’re in good form. Hopefully, both boys can do exactly that.’ On loan at sogndal in norway last year, nwakali (below) praised the welcome he received from his new team-mates in the Emirates. ‘They took to me like a brother the very first time I trained with them,’ said the midfielder. ‘It’s nice to play with such players. It has been a pleasure for me and I have been looking forward to playing in a higher league. Aberdeen is a very good move for me and is a very nice place for me to develop as a young player. ‘I played in norway and the season ended in november, but I’ve been training with Manchester City. I got some days off, came back to training and I think I’m ready. ‘One of the most important things from the coach of the national team is he wants players who are really playing every game and he wants players in higher leagues. I’m in one of the leagues, so I am looking forward to the call-up for the national team and serve nigeria with my heart. ‘The dream of any player is to play in the World Cup and, at the age of 21, it’s going to be great for me and I’m working really hard to achieve that. ‘I will give 100 per cent in the games and, on and off the pitch, I’m ready to work for Aberdeen. I’m looking forward to it.’ Aberdeen play Uzbekistan champions Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai on sunday afternoon at midday UK time, with nwakali and the recently returned niall McGinn both expected to take part. ‘I believe Lokomotiv are top of their league and I watched a bit of their training,’ said McInnes. ‘They are very similar to the Uzbekistan team we played last year. ‘They handle the ball well and have a good size about them, so they’ll be a formidable opponent. Although it’s only a friendly, we still want to make sure it’s a competitive enough game. ‘It’s important that we are more game-ready for the st Mirren scottish Cup match.’