Tom McIntyre’s Aberdeen stint comes to an end while two defenders edge closer to return
The former Portsmouth defender will not be offered new deal at the end of the season.
Tom McIntyre’s brief tenure as an Aberdeen player is at an end with the player set to move on from Pittodrie at the end of the season.
A defensive injury crisis at Pittodrie led to the Dons bringing in the former Portsmouth central defender on a short-term deal until the summer in February.
But McIntyre’s tenure in Scotland has been brief with the player suffering a hamstring injury in the Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat by Dunfermline at East End Park on March 7.
The 27-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season due to the severity of the injury and the Dons have opted not to offer McIntyre a deal.
The Press and Journal understands McIntyre has returned to England for treatment.
Double defensive injury boost
As McIntyre departs the Dons head coach Stephen Robinson has received some much-needed good news on the injury front with two key defenders nearing a return.
Aberdeen have received a post-split injury boost with full back Nicky Devlin set to join Mats Knoester in bolstering the club’s bid to secure its Premiership status.
Devlin has had a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in his side’s 1-0 loss at Hearts on February 28.
There were fears the injury suffered at Tynecastle would be a season-ending one for Devlin but the former Livingston captain has made good progress and is targeting a return to duty.
The Aberdeen boss said: “I was speaking to Nicky and he is hoping to be back for the Livingston game or just after that.
“Nicky thinks he’s going to be available for (the Livingston game), but it’s a push although he has been out running.
“He got the brace off, which is great. He was running and looked good to be fair.”
Knoester steps up comeback
Knoester could also make his return at Almondvale.
The Dutchman has been absent since landing awkwardly headfirst on the pitch in the Dons’ 3-0 defeat at Kilmarnock on January 31.
Dons head coach Robinson has been unable to call on the services of either player, but with the duo – key members of last season’s Scottish Cup winning side – back on the training pitch at Cormack Park, he is hopeful the defensive duo could make their return in next week’s Friday night Scottish Premiership encounter at Livingston.
The return of the experienced Knoester, who Robinson has praised for his leadership qualities, will also be welcomed by the Aberdeen head coach who has only three fit available central defenders in Gavin Molloy, Jack Milne and on-loan QPR centre-half Liam Morrison.
Robinson said: “Mats will be training the week of the Livi game.
“He’s actually joined in little bits and pieces now, non-contact.
“We are hoping he might be available after the Kilmarnock game.
“So fingers crossed both Mats and Nicky could be available for the Livingston game.
“If they were it would be a huge boost for us.”
[Source: Press and Journal]
