Source: Team_Talk
Dons hoping to solve Aluko mystery
Aluko will miss the visit of St Mirren on Saturday after defying the club's wishes by flying to Spain on Tuesday to join up with his international team-mates ahead of the Under-20 World Cup.
But the club are hopeful that Aluko will avoid long-term damage to his Aberdeen career by returning to Scotland to have his fitness assessed.
Although Aberdeen are under no obligation to release the 20-year-old for the tournament in Egypt, they were willing to do so if he proved his fitness.
Manager Mark McGhee had been angered that Aluko returned from a Nigerian training camp with an Achilles problem the previous week, and the Dons boss was not convinced by Aluko's performance from the bench during Monday's goalless draw at Falkirk.
The club this morning confirmed they were in contact with the Nigerian football authorities.
A spokesman said: "We have repeated to them that we need the player back to assess his fitness before we decide whether we will give him permission to take part in the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt."
However, they were this afternoon unclear whether the England Under-19 cap, who made his full debut for Nigeria in May soon after switching allegiance, had flown to Egypt for the tournament, which starts on September 24.
The Nigerian side's coach, Samson Siasia, insisted Aluko was focused on playing for his country.
"His club do not want him to travel for the tournament, but this a very focused young man, who cannot wait to represent his country in Egypt," Siasia told www.goal.com.
"He is now back with us and he wants to play for me."
With McGhee sidelined by the issue, assistant Scott Leitch took training and spoke to the media to preview the Clydesdale Bank Premier League visit of St Mirren.
Leitch downplayed suggestions Aluko had inflicted lasting damage on his relationship with the club.
He said: "We have not heard from Sone, so the only thing I can say is that sometimes these things are blown out of proportion.
"Until the manager sits down with Sone, there is no negative or positive in any of the circumstances.
"We are basically waiting for the manager to speak with Sone and then we will move forward."
Aberdeen may well miss Aluko's creativity against Saints after recording successive goalless draws and skipper Mark Kerr believes a more positive start is needed.
Kerr told RedTV: "Hopefully we get a better start than we did against Falkirk.
"We didn't put our stamp on the game early doors so hopefully we can do that on Saturday and go on from there.
"I think we can all improve, it's good having the clean sheets to build on.
"Personally, I have got to do better and everybody has to keep asking questions of themselves."
