ABERDEEN FC defender Zander Diamond today admitted he is delighted to be close to a comeback.

The Evening Express revealed yesterday that Zander has stepped up his training after recovering from surgery to a foot injury.

He hopes to make his top team comeback next month.

Zander said: “The injury seems to be healing, which is great.

“It was so frustrating to have done all of the pre-season training only to get hit by a freak injury.

“It’s a lot better now though and I’m confident I will be back playing over the next few weeks.”

Zander accepts he can’t just expect to walk back into the side, because Andrew Considine and Jerel Ifil have performed well at the heart of the Aberdeen FC defence during his absence.

“I have to believe in my own ability to remove one of them from the team,” he said.

“But I know it will be a battle because they have done well together.

“I welcome the competition and I’m sure Andy and Jerel will feel the same way.”