Niall McGinn has given Aberdeen a boost by declaring himself ready to return for the Europa League qualifiers.
The winger missed the end of the season through injury after suffering ankle ligament damage and was expected to be out until the start of the Premiership season.
But the Northern Irishman has declared that he is ahead of schedule and is hoping he can be part of the team for the first Europa League qualifying round on July 11.
The 31-year-old hasn't played since the 2-0 win over Dundee in April and admitted he wouldn’t rush it if Derek McInnes or the medical staff thought he wasn’t ready.
McGinn was in Northern Ireland launching a youth tournament and told the Derry Journal: “I’m looking forward to the European draw when it comes around as well so there’s another exciting season ahead.
“We’ve made a few new signings as well and I’m sure there will be a few more so I’m looking forward to when all the boys get back and I’ll be back sooner rather or later.
“I’m hoping I get back (for the first round qualifier) but it’s a long season ahead so I don’t want to rush things.
“We got a tough draw last season playing Burnley and it was an unbelievable experience going down there to play a Premier League team and running them so close.
“Hopefully we get a nice draw to start because we know how tough it is to get through four stages of the Europa League to get to the group stages but hopefully we get a draw which will set us up nicely to push on in the competition.”
