Jimmy Thelin faces Aberdeen injury sweat over another key star before Europa League playoff
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is sweating on Mats Knoester's fitness for their Europa League play-off.
The influential defender missed the weekend defeat to Celtic and will also sit out the Premier Sports Cup tie at Morton.
Thelin admitted he and his medical staff will continue to assess the Dutchman ahead of Thursday's first-leg home clash with FCSB at Pittodrie.
Thelin confirmed: 'Mats is still not available. I think it's not so long term, but he's not available for this game.
'So let's see in the coming play-off games.
'Then you have (Emmanuel) Gyamfi and (Kristers) Tobers, they're still out, but the rest are available. 'Kenan (Bilalovic) is waiting for his visa, so he's not available yet.'
The Aberdeen boss sent his assistant Christer Person to watch FCSB beat Drita on Thursday night.
He admitted: 'Of course, we have to make an analysis of the team. 'Christer was there watching them yesterday, so we have a clear picture of what we're going to be facing.
'It's going to be an interesting game.
They have the strength, but also the weakness, of course.
'But first we have to take this League Cup game before we go too deep into that one.'
Aberdeen have still to get out of the traps this season and some people might fancy Cappielow for a shock result.
Thelin is more interested on building on last season's Scottish Cup success.
'That's why everybody loves the cup,' the Swede claimed.
'Surprises can happen.
'You always have to be humble when you go into this game.
You have to be professional.
'Of course, the pressure is on us, but we have to be our best, always.
'It doesn't matter in which cup or in the league.
'Everybody in Aberdeen knows that, so it's no change for us.
'We're going to prepare this game like everybody else.'
Aberdeen have opened up with losses to Hearts and Celtic. Their manager knows they need to be more creative and to show more of a cutting edge to bring further success to Pittodrie.
He insisted: 'Yes, we have two difficult games.
'We did some parts of the performance good, but still we need to get some parts a little bit better, especially the way we arrive and support our attacking players with crosses or set them up in better positions.
'We're not arriving enough right now. So it's one part.
'The cup games and the play-offs also, you have to win or else you're out.
'So the pressure is there, but it's in a good way and we have to perform well.'
Aberdeen chiefs are also going through the process to sign Marko Lazetic from AC Milan but that is being delayed by red tape.
Thelin said: 'I hope we can see some progress now during the weekend and the next week that something more will happen inside the squad.'
Thelin has added Kenan Bilalovic, who he sees as one for the future.
He explained:'I think we're working on two parts; to create value for our squad, inside our squad and Kenan is a potential player.
'I have a long contract and he will grow in our environment, so he needs some time, but he's a good trait for what we need in the characteristics of the player, with his speed, technique and his directness of the game.
'Of course, he needs some time to adapt, but we have a strong belief in him for the future.'
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