Calderwood hopes Dons pair stay

Gary Dempsey (left) and Karim Touzani will soon be out of contract

Aberdeen expect to learn on Friday whether Gary Dempsey and Karim Touzani will remain at Pittodrie next season.

Dempsey, 26, has been offered a two-year deal by English League One side Yeovil Town. He and Touzani are out of contract in the summer.

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood said: "I spoke to Gary on Tuesday and I talked with Touzani's agents on Wednesday."

"Hopefully we will get both of them sorted out by Friday, one way or the other," Calderwood added.

Last month Dempsey said it was "more than likely" he would take up Yeovil's offer.

Dutchman Touzani, also 26, has expressed a wish to stay at the Scottish Premier League club.

Calderwood faces a striker problem ahead of Saturday's SPL game with Hearts, with leading scorer Darren Mackie rated doubtful.

Mackie, who sustained a hip injury in last Saturday's 2-1 victory at Falkirk, is suffering from tonsillitis.

"Darren has not trained all week and he took a sore one on the side of his hip which is still quite stiff," said Calderwood.

"But I think if anything keeps him out of this game then it will be his illness, because at the moment he is not feeling too good."