Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is delighted to finally have a full-strength squad as the countdown to the League Cup final begins.

For most of the season the Pittodrie gaffer has been unable to field his strongest starting 11 due to the loss of key players through injury.

Inspirational winger Jonny Hayes was absent for six weeks having sustained a hamstring injury in training before a Europa League cup tie in Maribor in August.

Skipper Ryan Jack was then sidelined for more than two months having undergone knee surgery.

The 24-year-old club captain made his long-awaited return in the 1-0 top-of-the-table loss to Celtic at the weekend.

It was Jack’s first start since a 0-0 draw with Hearts on August 13.

Jack had been in superb form before going under the knife and was today challenged to quickly regain that level as Hampden looms.

Ash Taylor failed a fitness test on a thigh injury for the loss to Celtic but is expected to be fit for Friday’s Premiership trip to Partick Thistle.

As McInnes bids to become the first Dons manager to win the League Cup twice, he finally has a full deck of players available.

McInnes said: “It is great to have Ryan back and it is like signing a new player outside the window.

“We are almost at full strength now with only one or two of the younger ones injured.

“It was disappointing to have Ryan out the team for that period of time.

“Before Ryan was ruled out he was in his best form for a long, long time.

“If he can pick up where he left off that would be brilliant for us.”

Continue Reading