Aluko will be replaced by Grassi on the left for Aberdeen

Mark McGhee says Sone Aluko's future at Aberdeen has not been affected by the forward's controversial call-up by Nigeria for the Under-20 World Cup.

Aluko was ordered back for a fitness test after leaving for his national squad training camp in Spain without the Dons manager's permission.

"It is not even an issue," said McGhee about his futurer after Aluko played in Saturday's 1-0 win over St Mirren.

"He worked hard in what was a difficult week for him."

Aluko now rejoins his national squad and McGhee could be without the 20-year-old until 16 October should Nigeria progress to the final in Egypt.

One of the reasons why we played Davide Grassi on the left of midfield was to see if he could do a job for us there and I think we saw enough to say he can Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee

But the Dons manager believes he has unearthed a suitable replacement.

"The real sickener is that we will be missing him for a few weeks because we know he is a match winner," said McGhee.

"One of the reasons why we played Davide Grassi on the left of midfield was to see if he could do a job for us there and I think we saw enough to say he can.

"Sone doesn't have to be as big a loss as he might have seemed, but he certainly will be missed."

The 23-year-old Grassi, previously of Parma, was signed last month with Aluko's likely departure for Egypt in mind.

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