Dons chief facing deal deadline

Aberdeen must bring in any new faces before this weekend to have them available for next week's Europa League clash.

Dons boss Mark McGhee is keen to get Plymouth Argyle duo Jim Paterson and Steve MacLean in on loan, while Benin international defender Reda Johnson could be snapped up following his impressive trial in Austria. However, if he wants them to play in next week's third qualifying round against Fram Reykjavik or Sigma Olomouc, McGhee must seal the deals by the end of the week.

McGhee is also aiming to bolster his forward line for the new season, but current forward Chris Maguire wants to force his way into the starting XI next term.

He told the Press & Journal: "You are not worried about new players coming in.

"There are already a few strikers here and everyone is in the same boat. We all want to be in the starting line-up.

"It us up to yourself to stick at it and hopefully the manager puts you in.

"You cannot worry about anyone else. I feel I am ready to be a first-team regular.

"I think I have improved physically and as a player. I now feel I can comfortably last a full game whereas maybe in the past I would struggled after about 70 minutes.

"I did a lot of strength work on my upper body. I am a lot stronger now, physically and mentally."