Jimmy Thelin ready to unleash 'different weapon' as Dante Polvara returns to Aberdeen squad

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin is ready to unleash Dante Polvara on St Mirren with the midfielder back in the squad after a lengthy injury absence.

The American had impressed his new boss during the pre-season before a cruel hamstring tear sidelined him for all of their 11-game unbeaten run in the Premiership.

Tomorrow's trip to Paisley gives the Dons a chance to make it 11 wins from 12 and leapfrog Celtic once again at the league summit before their clash with Hearts on Saturday night.

READ MORE: Kris Boyd spots key Aberdeen and Rangers difference this season as he issues Jimmy Thelin prediction

READ MORE: Jimmy Thelin demands Aberdeen improvement after unbeaten record ended by St Mirren

And Thelin is hopeful he can bring his 'different weapon' into the mix with the midfielder having sat out of a large chunk of the campaign.

Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's game, Thelin said: "For team news, we have 21 players in the squad for tomorrow. Dante is back inside the squad. Otherwise I think everybody has more or less prepared for the game.

"Angus [MacDonald] has a small issue there so he can’t be inside the game tomorrow. Otherwise everybody is available, except from Pape [Habib Gueye.]

Join our Aberdeen FC Facebook group for all the latest Dons news

"Dante has trained well, that is why we travel with 21 players for tomorrow. Let’s see who we choose. We have quite an intense period now in two blocks, we have five games now and then we go again.

"I think it’s good to have as many players as possible available and they also have different qualities. To keep the intensity high inside the team and make some changes when we can. That’s good to have the options.

"I can’t remember how many weeks Dante was training until he got injured. He started well in the training camp. The last part of last season he did really well. It’s good to have this quality. He also has different characteristics than the other players. It’s a good weapon for us also to use in different positions on the pitch.

"It’s a good team we are going to play against. They are really direct in their approach to the game. It’s a compact team that is well organised. They have good parts to their game and how they create chances. We have to be ready and strong in our defence but also with the ball we have to be clever and how we can attack them in a good way."

After bouncing back from their defeat to Celtic by thrashing Dundee, Thelin and his players are raring to go after the final international break of 2024.

It's set to be a busy run of fixtures over the coming weeks, but despite the unbeaten Premiership record the manager is still looking for ways his team can improve, starting with tomorrow's visit to the Buddies.

Thelin added: "Even if there has been a break or not, it’s always a new game, a new opponent. That’s why it’s so important how we train and that we have a clear identity with what we want to achieve as a team and try to improve that basics of our game all of the time and be consistent in these parts.

"During the season we have to improve things and add things. Still we are in the phase that we have to be more consistent in some parts and grow in some areas as a team.

"I think we are on the right path of course but still we have things we have to be more consistent with every week. Even if we change the starting eleven or change during the games, we always try to build it better with the basics first then we can keep growing in other parts of the game."

On his first trip to Paisley as Dons boss, Thelin showed no signs of letting his team take it easy against the Buddies who they have not beaten in the Premiership on their home turf since December 2018.

Sign up to our Aberdeen F.C newsletter to get the latest headlines, transfer news and more sent to your inbox

He added: "It’s the first time that I’ve been to St Mirren. It’s an away game and we know we have to do some things really good to get the points. As usual for us we have to adapt to the situation and focus on our strengths and prepare for them and be humble.

"There are no easy games in this league. We know that. There are a lot of tough games that we’ve played so far and we have to put the work onto the pitch and try to be a strong team and focus on these parts.

"The good part of this is that the players stay connected (substitutes scoring goals). Maybe some players haven’t played so much but they are connected with the team and they know they are important.

"That’s the thing about being a team. You need everyone. I like the spirit the players share between them. Sometimes they only play five minutes but they do important things on the pitch and they understand it’s important.

"That’s the most important thing for me, they have this team spirit and how they support each other, how they work for each other and take responsibility."