Duk primed for Aberdeen return as Jimmy Thelin prepares to unleash Cape Verde forward

The forward is back in training in the Granite City after trying to force a move elsewhere during the summer transfer window

Jimmy Thelin has confirmed Duk will return to his Aberdeen squad for the trip to Dundee.

The Cape Verde international will be available for selection for the first time under the Swede for tomorrow’s trip to Dens Park. Duk went AWOL at the start of the season but has now returned to the Dons and Thelin believes he is now ready to return. Thelin stated: “Duk can be back in the squad. We will travel with 21 players so maybe he will be.

“He was ready in his fitness levels when he came back but it was about the adaptation to how we play now. There are some differences and we have to give him responsibility in that role. So we’ve had to give him time so he can make a good impact when he plays. Step by step, he’s catching up with the evolution of the team and is looking sharper in the sessions.

“That’s the journey he’s had to make because he’s missed a lot of sessions. But he’s been behaving well, training well and more and more every week it’s coming.

“He runs without the ball behind the lines, he’s also a good player for set plays and target playing. His pace in one-v-one situations, he’s a strong player.”

Duk was a hero in his first season and dropped off last season but Thelin is looking for him to recapture their previous Pittodrie highs. “I didn’t look at too much from last season because it was a short time from leaving Elfsborg to being here,” he confirmed.

“Also I wanted to start here with fresh eyes and everyone at zero. I wanted to use the pre-season to build, so I didn’t watch too much because it shapes too much what you think.

“I didn’t take too much information from the past, I spoke to Peter and the management from the club. I know he made a big impact in his first season here and also in some games last season.”

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