Dons will need to fill void left by Ferguson

AFC: McInnes laments loss of his young leader for trip to Steelmen

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the loss of ‘natural leader’ Lewis Ferguson has left a gaping hole in his midfield for tomorrow’s trip to Motherwell.

Ferguson, pictured below, will miss the game at Fir Park and next weekend’s home match against Celtic as he serves a two-match ban after his sending off against Hibernian and his absence leaving the Dons with one fit recognised central midfielder in Dean Campbell.

McInnes said: “Ferguson is a natural central midfielder and was outstanding against Hibs. It wasn’t a reckless challenge but it was mistimed.

“He was there in midfield on his own putting out fires left, right and centre, and he was maybe over-eager to make a challenge and stop Hibs from countering after we had equalised.

“I’m not going to be too critical of him but his absence adds to an already difficult situation.”

The Dons boss insists the 20 year-old’s contribution has been invaluable.

He said: “When you look at value in the team in terms of assets I’d say Scott McKenna, Sam Cosgrove and Ferguson have value.

“In terms of what they give to me on a Saturday I’ve had that value from them on a regular basis. “January has always been a window where you have to react to the situation.

“I’d like us to be in January now and have the ability to deal with what we have to deal with but as a manager you have to assess these situations all the time.

“If you have a young, first-pick centre-back like McKenna, you expect people to see what we see and what Steve Clarke sees.

“Anybody who is doing any sort of recruitment acknowledges there is a striker with size and ability in Cosgrove. I don’t worry about interest being shown in these players and I know if they fulfil their potential their form and ability will take them elsewhere at some point.”

Craig Bryson and Stephen Gleeson have trained but McInnes is reluctant to throw either player straight into the fray at Fir Park.

“We’ve got six good defenders and with James Wilson coming back in we’re not too bad at the top end of the pitch – but midfield is the problem.

“With Ferguson and Curtis Main suspended it’s quite challenging.”