Aberdeen will not look to loan Kristers Tobers out in this transfer window. The 25-year-old Latvian international is back training with Stephen Robinson's side after battling back from a second serious injury, but the Dons will take a cautious approach.
Tobers has hardly played any football over the last 12 months. Aberdeen wants to make sure he is 100% and back for the long-term.
Robinson's cautious approach
Robinson confirmed: "I don't think he will be in that situation before the window. I'm not a medical expert, but I think he just needs to get training sessions under his belt before we look at that. We have to remember he's been out almost a year, maybe more, a year now in total. So it's going to take time for Kristers to come back to the level we need him at."
Robinson does not want to put pressure on the centre half by setting a return timescale. He admitted: "He's had a couple of setbacks throughout the summer, but he's now back on the pitch again, running, touching balls. But I don't want to put a time line on Kristers because we've looked at it a few times now and he's had a little bit of disappointment and he remains mentally so strong. It's just nice to see him out in the grass again."
Chairman's support and youth pathway
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack was back in Scotland for the recent Dundee game. Robinson insisted that the American-based tycoon lets him get on with things. He said: "He went back (to USA) last week. He was here for two games. Dave leaves me to it. We have conversations when we need to have them. As I do with every board member, I get a lot of support from everybody."
Robinson has included a number of Cormack Park graduates in his squad in recent weeks. Andrew Fasanya has become Aberdeen's youngest Don and Findlay Marshall has also made his bow. Cooper Masson was another who was on the bench for the first time for the recent league game with Dundee.
Future of young midfielder
Robinson has high hopes for the midfielder. Aberdeen are keen to extend the teenager's deal, which is up in the summer. His manager said: "He gets his chance because of injuries as well, but he's trained really, really well for numerous weeks with us. He's got great stature about him and gives us real control in the middle of pitch. He doesn't look out of place. He's only 17. He's certainly one we feel can have a real impact. Again, whether he goes on loan, whether he's part of the first-team squad, but due to injuries in that area at the moment, he'll certainly be involved in the coming weeks at least anyway."
The Scottish Football Association are set to hold an upcoming summit on how to improve the game and to give younger players more opportunities. Robinson believes it will be a good thing, but would prefer to leave it to the powers-to-be. He added: "I think there's more educated people above me that will probably deal with that. I've got my own ideas as well. I'll leave that to Alan (Burrows, chief executive) and Lutz (Pfannenstiel, sporting director) to deal with that."
