Ward hopes to boost Wales hopes
Danny Ward hopes his performances for Aberdeen can help boost his international prospects with Wales.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper has joined Derek McInnes' side on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
He is so highly rated by Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers that he was handed a five-year contract shortly before making the switch to Pittodrie, and the Merseyside club's goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has been keeping close tabs on the former Wrexham youngster since he moved north.
But now he hopes to convince Wales manager Chris Coleman that he is worthy of another international call-up.
Ward - who has four under-21 caps and has previously been in the senior squad - told RedTV: "The move up here has gone really well for me personally with the way that we have played in Europe and in the league and I am just delighted to be playing.
"I speak to the goalkeeper coach at Liverpool and a couple of the other coaches twice a week as they are keeping an eye on my progress and it has all been positive so far, but there are always things that you can get better at, so I am looking to improve.
"It's definitely an ambition of mine for the future (to play for Wales) and I think coming up here and playing games will do my chances no harm, hopefully I can keep on performing and stay in the Wales set-up."
Ward has kept four clean sheets since clinching his Aberdeen move but will come up against another promising goalkeeper in Scott Bain when the Dons face Dundee in Ladbrokes Premiership action on Saturday.
Willo Flood and Peter Pawlett are doubtful for Aberdeen.
The pair have ankle injuries but McInnes is hopeful of having at least one fit.
Forward Josh Parker could feature following his loan move from Red Star Belgrade but defender Mark Reynolds remains sidelined following shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, Dundee manager Paul Hartley insists his side have no intention of abandoning their attacking approach at Pittodrie.
The Dark Blues head for the Granite City fresh from last weekend's 2-1 win over St Johnstone which sees them sitting fourth in the table, one place and two points behind Aberdeen.
Hartley has every admiration for McInnes' men but is not planning to alter their normal style of play just because it is the Dons they are facing.
Hartley said: "We're under no illusions.
"We all know Aberdeen are a quality side but it's one we're really looking forward to.
"We always like to express ourselves and that's what we'll try and do again at Pittodrie.
"They have got players in the final third who can cause you problems.
"That's what we have to watch out for but, at the same time, I think with the players we've got we'll always have a go.
"It's away from home which will make it different but we are hopeful of putting on a good show and getting a positive result."
Dundee will be without winger Nick Low after he sustained a groin injury against St Johnstone, while Rory Loy is also struggling with a groin problem.
However, defender James McPake is hopeful of overcoming a dead leg in time to take his place in the back four.
Source: PAR
