Express & Star

Wolves winger Zeli Ismail set to join Aberdeen on loan

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Wolves winger Zeli Ismail was today poised to seal a loan move to Scottish League Cup winners Aberdeen.

Sources north of the border confirmed the 20-year-old wideman, who is into the last year of his contract, is set to sign after the Dons' Europa League second-leg clash with FK Daugava Riga tonight.

Aberdeen, 5-0 up from the first leg and managed by former Albion captain Derek McInnes, have confirmed they hope to finalise a deal for the Wolves academy graduate when they return from Latvia after the conclusion of tonight's tie.

Should the deal go through, it will come as a disappointment to Burton Albion, whose manager Gary Rowett was keen to have Ismail back at the Brewers next season.

Ismail enjoyed a successful spell at the Pirelli Stadium from January onwards when he helped them to the League Two play-off final at Wembley, only to lose 1-0 to Fleetwood.

He scored three goals in 17 appearances after 12 games for Wolves, 11 of which came in 2013-14.

Ismail would join another one-time Wolves youth product in keeper Scott Brown at Aberdeen, the 29-year-old having been at Bristol City with McInnes.

Eight days ago Jackett promised he wouldn't let Ismail stagnate at Wolves behind others.

"I'll make sure he gets the games he needs and doesn't stay here floating around the edge of it," said the boss.

"We're in the Championship and I'm sure there are teams who would take some of these players, and that's a positive.

"We'll see where he's up to compared to the others in his position, and if it's right, he may go out again."

Anthony Forde, who has been linked with relegated League One side Stevenage, is also likely to be loaned out.

"We haven't heard anything from Stevenage, but he needs to go on loan and make his way," said Jackett.

"There are quite a lot of people ahead of him so he needs to get that move, but there's nothing set up for him.

"Last season I brought four wingers with Jacobs, Henry, Van La Parra and Eusebio, so he's either got to battle this season to get back above those, or more likely to goon loan and try to gain experience there."