Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin has explained his decision to keep Luis 'Duk' Lopes on the periphery of his first team squad for the time being.
Thelin's side host Spartans on Saturday evening in a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tie.
Duk, who recently returned after nearly three months away, was involved in internal disciplinary proceedings over the summer.
The Cape Verde international expressed a desire to leave the club during the transfer window, but a move did not materialise, and he rejoined the team once the window closed after issuing an apology.
But although his boss has praised his performances in training, Thelin confirmed that Duk will not be included in the match-day squad against Spartans, having also been left out for the recent win over Motherwell.
"He has done enough but he still has another week or so before he is ready to compete with other players in the squad," Thelin said during his press conference on Friday.
"He is going to be out for this game. He is doing really well. His timing is getting better and better with his teammates and he is adapting really quickly.
"It is only two weeks but he is adapting well and we can also use his quality when he is more connected with the team.”
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Aberdeen have the opportunity to reach a Hampden Park semi-final in what will be Thelin's 11th match in charge of the club.
The Swedish coach has won every competitive game so far, and he will be expected to carry that impressive record on against fourth-tier Spartans.
Discussing the clash, Thelin said: "We think it's a really important game to win at home at Pittodrie in a cup game. They have a good coach, I think he's the longest serving coach at one club now (in Scotland).
"They have some experienced Premier League players, they beat Ross County, so it won't be easy.
“You can see they’re well organised, they’re well connected. There are some ideas how they link up the game and arrive to crosses. I think they are performing well. They are fourth in their league right now, a stable team.
“We need to play our parts with the high quality, otherwise they’re well organised and it’s difficult to open them up.”
Jamie McGrath and Jack MacKenzie have established themselves as two of Aberdeen's most important players these days, but with the duo's contracts expiring at the end of the current campaign, Thelin has indicated that extension talks are progressing.
Commenting on the situation, he stated: "The dialogue with the club is good. Steven is making that process. Let’s see what will happen but I can’t speak for the players. There is a process there.”
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