Aberdeen: Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes apologises as he returns Aberdeen training

Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes has apologised to Aberdeen following his early season absence and says he “will work hard every day to try and help the team”.

The winger, 24, has not featured so far this season and the club took disciplinary action against the Cape Verde international when he did not report for training in July.

Aberdeen have confirmed Duk, who is out of contract next summer, is back in first team training “after a period of absence”.

And Duk said: “I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone associated with Aberdeen for my absence over the last period.

“I deeply regret being away. I am grateful to the club, the manager, my team-mates and supporters for giving me a chance. I will work hard every day to try and help the team.”

Chief executive Alan Burrows said Duk had recognised “his behaviour was not what we would expect from any Aberdeen player”.

And manager Jimmy Thelin, who took over during the summer, commented: “Duk has demonstrated his contrition over this situation and understands his behaviour falls well below the standards we expect here so it is our job now to work with him in training and get him ready to compete for a place in the squad again.”