Aberdeen stalwart Andrew Considine is in contention to make his long awaited return to action this weekend.
Manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed that the 34-year old will be included in his squad to face Hibernian at Pittodrie on Saturday.
He said: “Andy Considine is back in among things with the squad, as is Marley Watkins.
“I am not suggesting for a minute that I am expecting miracles from the two guys, they have been out for a hell of a long time so we need to be fair to them and manage them properly.
“So we have had good dialogue with the medical team and the sports science team to put a plan together to see when the earliest opportunity we can get the guys back onto the pitch because they are two big players, two very influential players when fit and good members of the squad."
Considine has been out for the majority of the season after sustaining a serious ACL injury in a Europa Conference League play-off defeat to Qarabag back in August.
The centre-back later insisted that he thought his career would be over after the horror he went through on a 'diabolical' pitch in Azerbaijan.
Since making his debut in 2004, Considine has gone on to make over 560 appearances for the Reds - the fourth-most in the history of the club.
His absence has been felt with midfielder Ross McCrorie having to deputise at centre-back for large spells of the campaign.
He is out of contact in the summer, however Record Sport revealed at the start of the month he's set to be offered a new deal.
Aberdeen are in desperate need of a victory with their Premiership top six hopes dwindling and having the reliable defender back will be a welcomed boost.
Three games remain before the league splits and just five points currently separate Hibs in fourth and the Dons in tenth.
There was more good news for Dons fans as Goodwin insisted attacker Marley Watkins will also return for the showdown while Joe Lewis will captain the side until the end of the season after the departure of Scott Brown.
