Barry Robson plans to give Aberdeen talisman Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes until the last minute to prove his fitness for Saturday’s third-place shootout with Hearts at Tynecastle.
The 18-goal striker went off with a muscle injury in last weekend’s goalless draw against Hibernian.
Robson gave little away with regard to Duk’s availability this weekend when he faced the media on Wednesday.
“We’ve not got anyone definitely out,” he said. “I want to give every player every opportunity to get back for the weekend so we’ll see how we go with that.
“We’re taking it 24 hours at a time at the minute. I’m sure Hearts will have players the exact same as that. All teams will have players with niggles or slight niggles.
“We’ll sit down on Friday and find out where we are with Duk and a couple of others. We’ll see where we are with that but we’ve got to give it every opportunity to get everyone fit and available.”
Robson revealed that Ross McCrorie, who has missed the last two games through injury, is making good progress in his recovery.
“100 per cent,” he said when asked if he is likely to play again this season. “I’m looking forward to having him back. He’s not far away.
“He did 100 per cent on the training pitch there today. He’ll be back sooner rather than later. We can’t make a decision about the weekend yet but the way he’s going, he’s ahead of schedule.”
Aberdeen can all but secure third place in the cinch Premiership and likely European group-stage football next term if they win at Tynecastle on Saturday. The Dons are five points clear of the Jambos – and six ahead of Hibernian – with three games remaining.
“It’s another big game, we know that,” said the Aberdeen boss. “When you’re at a club like Aberdeen, they’re all big games. That’s why we’re here. We enjoy it.
“Pressure is a good thing, it makes you play. We’re under pressure, they’re under pressure. Just go and enjoy the game.
“Would I rather be in our position than Hearts? Yes. We need to go and play well to get a result down there because they’ve got some terrific players and they’ll have their fans behind them.
“I loved going to Tynecastle as a player, it’s a great place to go and play. The players are really looking forward to it. What a good game. That’s what we’re here for.
“We’ve turned our away form around and we’re in a good place, so we’re looking forward to it.”
McKenna signs four-year deal to stay at Ipswich
After speculation about his future at the club, Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year contract at Ipswich Town.
McKenna took over at Ipswich in December 2021, with the club in League One, and has since led them to back-to-back automatic promotions.
The Tractor Boys finished the Championship season in second, just one point behind champions Leicester City, to secure Premier League football for the first time in 22 years.
That feat also earned McKenna the League Managers Association’s Manager of the Year award, as he beat Pep Guardiola to the award.
Since then, the Northern Irishman has been linked to a move away from Ipswich, with Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United all thought to be interested in him at some stage.
After signing his new contract, McKenna told the club website: "I am extremely proud to have signed a new contract with the club.
"We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I'm excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years.
"Preparation and planning for the challenge ahead has been ongoing since we won promotion at the beginning of May, with plenty of work still to do before the start of the new season at what is such an exciting time for everyone at the club.
"I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and am really excited for what's ahead as we continue this journey together.
Eriksen and Hojlund named in Denmark's Euro 2024 squad as O'Riley misses out
Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund have been named in Denmark's squad for Euro 2024, although there is no place for Matt O'Riley in the 26-player party.
Eriksen's Euro 2020 campaign was notoriously curtailed after he suffered a cardiac arrest during his nation's opening match against Finland in Copenhagen.
The midfielder watched on from hospital as the Red and Whites went on to reach the semi-finals, but he will feature again this time around alongside Manchester United team-mate Hojlund.
However, O'Riley has been left out, despite an impressive season with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic in which he scored 18 goals.
"It's hard to disappoint someone, these are boyhood dreams that come up short," head coach Kasper Hjulmund told reporters, "[but] I'm very happy with the squad we have."
Simon Kjaer has also been included, despite a thigh injury limiting the veteran defender's game time with Milan towards the end of the Serie A season.
"We have a lot of data on him, we have visited him and have it fully under control," Hjulmund added. "He is now in a place where he is completely ready, he is in good physical condition."
Thorup takes over at Norwich after Wagner sacking
Norwich City have appointed Johannes Hoff Thorup as their new head coach on a three-year deal.
Thorup replaces David Wagner, who was sacked earlier this month following Norwich's 4-0 defeat to Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final.
The Dane moves from Nordsjaelland, where he took over in January 2023 after being promoted from his role as assistant coach.
He led them to a second-place finish in the Danish Superliga that season to earn a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
In his first full campaign in charge, Thorup took them to the group stage of the European competition before finishing fourth in the Danish top-flight.
Speaking to the club website, Thorup said: "I'm excited, I hope that the supporters are excited as well. I hope that we can create something together. It's so important that they are proud of the team.
"I feel the connection with the people, the club and the city. Everyone I have met with so far is so humble, nice, and easy-going.
"I have my ideas and I have my principles in the way that we are going to play, but I am also here to listen to some of the good stuff that has already been done. I have to make sure that I am very clear that this is something that we do together, and everyone has to have that feeling."
The Canaries finished sixth in the table last season and will now prepare for their third consecutive season in the Championship under Thorup.
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