Pape Habib Gueye Aberdeen injury latest as Jimmy Thelin prepares warm welcome for dancing hitman following surgery

The striker is set to return to Pittodrie following his surgery

Jimmy Thelin has confirmed Pape Habib Gueye has had surgery and is due back at Aberdeen today, with his teammates and staff ready to share the love.

The Dons’ top scorer suffered a training injury last month that will rule him out of action until the new year, but Thelin has backed his Senegal striker to come back stronger and to get back to the form that made him favourite at Pittodrie in recent weeks. He said said: “You have to think about the individual. He is a player and a human, who works so hard and was on loan and has come back and made a great start.

“He has been playing with a smile on his face in the training sessions and the games too. He has scored some really important goals and has really contributed to how we defend and to the energy of the team. It is a tough thing that happened. He is on his way back after his surgery in London and he will arrive this afternoon.

“He is a really positive guy and we have a good medical team here and he will have a big support from us. Sometimes you can go out strong in these situations (and come back even stronger). “I am sure he will do that.”

Nicky Devlin got his first Scotland call-up earlier this week. He has been named in the Nations League squad for the game with Croatia and Portugal. Thelin believes he deserved the recognition for the work he puts in.

The Swede admitted: “It is so nice with the sport, you can never stop learning. There is always something to learn and improve, whenever you are in your career or how young or old you are.

“The hunger he shows and he trains so well in every session and performs in the games. Everybody in here is so happy for him and it is going to be a nice experience for him.”

Dons’ first-team coach Peter Leven also turned down the St Johnstone manager’s job last weekend. He has also turned down the Raith Rovers’ post this season. Thelin has acknowledged Leven has been a major factor in their early season success.

Thelin stated: “For me, football is all about emotions. I am glad that good people and coaches in the staff get recognition.

“That says a lot about the environment we have here. “I am also really happy he is staying. “We don’t change too much during the season. We also keep trust in the staff we have here.

“At times, stuff can happen and it might be time to move on but in this case he wants to stay. It is good for everyone.”

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