ABERDEEN received a major boost ahead of Saturday's season opener against Inverness Caledonian Thistle when Zander Diamond, Derek Young, Mark Kerr and Stuart Duff all returned to action last night.
All four had been carrying injuries and missed matches during the recent tour to the Netherlands but their recovery leaves manager Jimmy Calderwood with a full squad to choose from this weekend.
The quartet all played for around an hour be
fore being replaced with a view to their availability for more serious matters on Saturday.
Now all the Aberdeen manager has to do is complete the signing of Darlington striker Tommy Wright tomorrow and hope Darren Mackie recovers from his injury in time to play. Calderwood said: "It was important to get Zander a game as he missed all the matches in Holland and while his fitness is good you need game sharpness as well."
Aberdeen dominated their Highland League opponents and took the lead in 20 minutes when full back Stuart Smith sent Michael Paton clear and the teenager angled his ten-yard shot under the goalkeeper.
Sammy Stewart, the recently signed Northern Ireland Under-21 international, flicked in the second from close range with 11 minutes left.
Aberdeen: Bateman, Ross, Smith, Kerr (Clark 57), Diamond (Gallacher 57), Crawford, Pawlett (Carroll 46), Stewart, Young (McRobbie 62), Paton (Bolger 75), Duff (Megginson 62). Subs: Cassidy, Bain
The full article contains 234 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
