Wage cut plea by Nicholls

Mark Nicholls played 54 times for Chelsea

Mark Nicholls has vowed to take a wage cut as he attempts to become the replacement for Eoin Jess at Aberdeen.

Jess has been offered a permanent contract by Bradford, where he spent the latter part of the season on loan as City were relegated from England's Premiership.

Nicholls wants to move in the opposite direction to the Scottish Premier League after being released by Chelsea.

Although Aberdeen appear ready to retain David Rowson after all, 23-year-old Nicholls is hopeful that his time on trial at Pittodrie earlier this month will persuade Ebbe Skovdahl that he too can fill the midfield gap.

Nicholls made 54 appearances for Chelsea before the huge foreign influx at Stamford Bridge but will not demand a similar kings ransom, according to his agent.

Not a stumbling block

"We have not been restrictive as far as wages are concerned," Bill Tomlins told the SPL website.

"We have seen some of the figures mentioned in the SPL and we are not looking for anywhere near that.

"Money would not be a stumbling block for Mark. He just wants to play football and prove he has what it takes."

Dons boss Skovdahl was keen on Brian Steen Neilsen to fill a midfield role for next season, but the Danish international is ready to join Skovdahls' old club, Brondby. "Aberdeen are due to come back to us," said Tomlins.

"They were very positive about Mark and I know they were interested bringing in three other players, but one of those appears to have fallen through.

"Mark has a decision to make and there are several clubs interested down south, but he is taken with the idea of playing in Scotland."

An Aberdeen spokesman confirmed that Nicholls remains one of the players still being considered by Skovdahl.