The former Middlesbrough midfielder has grown tired of lengthy round-trips to see his two children in Warrington after a marriage break-up.

Now the Liverpool-born player looks set to return to England after failing to settle in the Granite City.

Following a meeting with Aberdeen manager Alex Miller and chairman Stewart Milne, the club reluctantly agreed to listen to offers for the player.

Only last week Miller rejected what he termed a derisory £250,000 bid from Manchester City for the 28-year-old, who left Middlesbrough after six seasons to move north of the border.

Aberdeen were aware of Hignett's domestic situation when they made him the club's highest-paid player on reported £8,000-a-week wages this summer.

But the decision to release their star signing will come as a further blow to Dons fans.

They have already seen their side slip to joint bottom of the Scottish Premier League after a run of 10 league games without a win.

Hignett dismissed claims that he was using his domestic situation to seal a move back down south.