New Aberdeen signing Michael Devlin hopes to return to fitness in time to help play a part in bringing the Scottish Cup back to Pittodrie.
The 24-year-old central defender, who had been linked with Preston earlier this week, completed his move from Hamilton Accies to the Dons yesterday for a nominal fee.
The Red Army will have to wait to see Devlin in action as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury that he suffered in a match against Dundee on the final day of last season.
After a frustrating season so far, Devlin is desperate to get back in the pitch before the end of the campaign.
He said: “At this stage in my career it was a fantastic move and I couldn’t wait to get the chance to come here.
“Hopefully I will be ready to go with the end of February or March the estimated time to return to playing.
“I will continue to work hard.
“I am looking forward to teaming up with the medical staff here and I have already had a chat with them.
“They are confident they will get me in good shape and ready to play for the club so I am eager to get started and get back on the pitch.
“We want to compete at the top end of the league and compete for silverware and that matches my ambitions in the game as well.
“Getting the opportunity to play in cup finals, win trophies and compete at the top of the league was why I started playing football.
“I can achieve these things here so I am delighted to be here and try to contribute to that and can’t wait to get started.”
Devlin spent 18 months with the Dons as a teenager and is thrilled to be back at the club for the next chapter in his career.
He said: “It was a great club back then and I was delighted to be part of the club and even more so to be back now and hopefully a bit wiser.
“As soon as I was aware that there was interest there I was really excited about the prospect of coming back here.
“The manager spoke to me and said he had big plans for myself and the club if we can make it happen and that was enough as he was really positive.
“There are a few guys that I know well, the likes of Adam Rooney who I directly play against and Stevie May was a team mate when he was on loan at Hamilton a couple of years ago.
“He scored a whole lot of goals that was massive for us at the time so I know Stevie well and he has kept in touch.
“He had a similar knee injury to me so I got a message of support and encouragement from him when it happened.
“Mark Reynolds is a family friend as well so there are few familiar faces in the changing room.”