ROY Aitken is ready for a premier division return to cover Aberdeen's

defensive crisis.

The assistant manager was a surprise call-up as a substitute for

Stewart McKimmie when the captain was carried off in the New Firm derby

at Tannadice on Monday -- his first appearance for 15 months -- but with

McKimmie and former Norwich City defender Colin Woodthorpe both out,

Aitken is set to carry on to help Aberdeen's revival.

He said: ''As long as my legs can carry me I will play on if Willie

Miller wants me. I am 36 and not as fast as I was 10 years ago, but I

didn't have any problems against Dundee United.

''But my main role will still be on the management side.''