Dons boss Derek McInnes is ready to hand defender Kari Arnason his second competitive debut for the Reds in Thursday’s Europa League third round qualifier.

Aberdeen host Apollon Limassol of Cyprus at Pittodrie in the Europa League later this week.

Arnason made his second debut for the Dons, after returning to the Granite City from Cypriot side AC Omonia Nicosia, in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Brechin City at Glebe Park.

The friendly in Angus was important for the Icelandic international to build match sharpness as he was ineligible to play in the Europa League second qualifying round games against Bosnians Siroki Brijeg.

Manager McInnes insists he will have no hesitation in throwing Arnason into competitive action.

He said: “It was good for Kari Arnason to get a goal on his second debut as well. By and large it was a good afternoon’s work.

“He’s had a couple of weeks in Cyprus with his old team not doing a lot of ball work. He’s admitted that he needs sharpness now.

“It was important that we got him replicating some of that sharpness through his training and so we tried to use last week to give him what he needs.

“Today was the culmination of a lot of the work he’s done.

“He’ll get a day off and he’ll feel the benefit, like the majority of them there, for having the 90 minutes. I think that will speed him on.

“You can only replicate so much through your training but I think on the game side of it and the decision making, all that becomes second nature once you start to get a few games.

“He’s certainly not far away and you can see from his composed style that’s he’s very confident in his work.

“We just need to make sure we get the minutes into him so he’s ready when called upon.

“But he’s certainly available for Thursday, which we’re delighted about.”