Link with Manchester City pleases Mcinnes
Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes says the relationship between his club and Manchester City is paying dividends this January.
The Dons yesterday revealed a loan deal to bring Chidi Nwakali to the club on loan for the remainder of the season from City, though it is still subject to a work permit coming through.
City have a number of youngsters out on loan in the Ladbrokes Premiership, including Patrick Roberts, Brandon Barker and Ashley Smith-brown, and Mcinnes is keen to take advantage of the relationship while helping Nwakali push his claim for a place in Nigeria’s World Cup squad.
“Chidi is a player we’ve looked at over the past couple of months,” he told the club’s website. “Manchester City and ourselves have a decent relationship and we’ve always kept in open dialogue with them.
“They have numerous players they need to get out playing football and, while we have not been able to bring anybody up until now, we’ve always had that relationship with them.
“They see us as a good club for them to showcase their youngsters and give them that experience.
“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.
“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 being granted.
“What we like about him is he’s got real energy, but is also someone who can work the ball well, as you’d expect from someone from Manchester City. I think he’ll fit in well because it’s so important for him to try to 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.”
Mcinnes revealed that Stevie May and Niall Mcginn have been struggling with injury problems during their early spell in Dubai, where the Dons are currently having a winter training camp ahead of the second half of the season, but he expects both players to have fully recovered in time for their Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren on 20 January.
He explained :“steviemay and Niall have been doing work with the physios and Graham Kirk so hopefully we’ll get them integrated a bit more with the rest of the team over the week.
“We’ve a few youngsters out here and I think this is a worthwhile trip. I said it last year and I hope it can be that again.”
He added: “Whether they’re involved (in a friendly against Uzbekistan champions Lokomotiv Tashkent), I have my doubts, but they’ll certainly be involved in the St Mirren game.
“Hopefully we can fine tune the players this week and be ready to go again when we get back to Aberdeen.”