Aberdeen are monitoring Arbroath midfielder Mark Whatley.

The Red Lichties have sold Simon Murray to Dundee United, with the attacker loaned back to the League 2 leaders for the rest of the season. Now the Dons are considering whether to give Whatley, 24, the chance to play full-time.

Paul Sheerin, now the Aberdeen under-20 manager, signed former Raith Rovers player Whatley from Lowland League champions Spartans.

Sheerin was impressed enough with what he had seen of Whatley to recommend the midfielder to Dons manager Derek McInnes.

Aberdeen have watched Whatley, who has scored one goal in 30 appearances, in recent games.

The Dons had an observer at Easter Road last Saturday for Arbroath’s Scottish Cup tie with Hibs.