Aberdeen finished ninth in the SPL in McGhee's first season in charge

Mark McGhee is pleading for patience from Aberdeen supporters as he continues his summer recruitment drive.

The Dons boss has already signed Northern Ireland defender Rory McArdle under freedom of contract and plans to add more new faces.

But McGhee told the club website."We cannot afford expensive mistakes, so we have to be patient.

"Lots of players are waiting to see what their options are because they are working in a limited financial market."

Aberdeen appear to have missed out on striker Kevin Kyle, with the towering target man on the verge of a deal with Hearts.

Another forward recently linked with the Dons is Adebayo Akinfenwa, who has reached the end of his contract with Northampton Town.

But McGhee is warning fans that new arrivals may not arrive until nearer the start of next season.

We have just got to be patient and then start to pick off the ones that become available and the ones who realise we are an option Mark McGhee

"If you are in an environment where you have limitless funds, and I am talking about at any level - if you are Chelsea, Manchester United or City for that matter - you can speed things along a little bit by paying over the odds," he explained.

"In the environment we are all working in, in Scotland, you have to be a bit more careful than that.

"We have to buy at the right price and buy the right players. There are a lot of things that have to fit before we can sign any players.

"There are a lot of players out there who we know we could get, there are some we can't afford, and plenty more waiting to see what their options are.

"Even within the Championship and League One in England, there is starting to be a little bit of a squeeze and players are finding it that little bit more difficult to achieve their expectations as far as contracts are concerned.

"We have just got to be patient and then start to pick off the ones that become available and the ones who realise we are an option."

McGhee also hopes the return of key players next season will help the Dons avoid a repeat of the 53-year-old's miserable first campaign in charge.

Andrew Considine was badly missed for the second half of last term, Peter Pawlett was another injury victim, while Chris Maguire has returned from an encouraging loan spell at Kilmarnock.

McGhee said: "It will be great having the three of them back, and hopefully getting full seasons from Sone Aluko and Zander Diamond.

"Sone and Zander's contribution was really just at the tail end of the season so it will be great having them back to full fitness."

The manager is also keeping his fingers crossed Davide Grassi and Stuart Nelson sign new contracts at Pittodrie.

He added: "I hope so. There is some work to be done on that and we will continue to discuss it with them but I am hopeful that by the beginning of July, when pre-season kicks off, they will be back and be ready for a good season."

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