Norwich City are ready to deliver some much-needed festive cheer for fellow strugglers Aberdeen by allowing them to keep on-loan James Maddison until the end of the season.
The precociously talented 20-year-old’s deal was due to expire next month amid fears that under-pressure Canaries boss Alex Neil would recall the player they bought for £2million from Coventry last February.
But ex-Hamilton boss Neil believes Maddison’s long-term prospects will benefit from an extended stay at Pittodrie - and that will be warmly welcomed by Dons fans in desperate need of a boost after watching their team slump seven points behind second-place Rangers in the Premiership table.