Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes admits 'timing' frustration as Florian Kamberi work permit delays compounded by Fraser Hornby illness

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is frustrated by Florian Kamberi's work permit delays. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has admitted frustration at the late timing of the club’s January transfer business after revealing Florian Kamberi is still awaiting clearance to join the Pittodrie side.

McInnes saw three attackers leave the club on deadline day and Ryan Hedges ruled out for several months with a pectoral injury days later.

He might only have one of his loan signings, Callum Hendry, available for Saturday’s visit of St Mirren with Fraser Hornby struggling with illness and Kamberi still awaiting a work permit.

"We have had a few blows with injuries and through January, scrambling about the last day of the window is not how I want to do business," McInnes said.

"We could have done a lot of work better earlier in the window so there was a lot I wasn't happy about.

"We are trying to get that forward line reinvented. Kamberi's work permit issues are still to be resolved, Fraser Hornby has come down with a bug this week and hasn't trained for the last few days.

"Ryan Hedges is having his operation on Friday and Greg Leigh is probably out for the season with a hamstring injury.

"So we are taking a few blows. But I would rather concentrate on the players who are available and that's what the focus is, making these boys as good as they can be."

Hornby will be assessed on Friday while there is no time frame for Kamberi to join in.

"We are confident we are going to get his work permit," McInnes said. "We wouldn't have made that signing if we didn't think that would be overcome, but the whole issue is timing.

"You depend on so many people before the boy can get to the stage where he can actually put his boots on and come out and train with us.

"He's in the country, he flew in on Wednesday but being able to get him training with the boys is beyond us at the minute. We are just waiting on the stamp of approval."

McInnes received a vote of confidence from chairman Dave Cormack on Monday after a run of just one win in eight games.

Get a year of unlimited access to all The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis of the biggest games, exclusive interviews, live blogs, transfer news and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today