Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood is reasonably satisfied with the current injury situation at Pittodrie despite Jamie Smith once again damaging his hamstring.

A mis-kick of the ball at the end of Monday's training session ruled Smith out of Tuesday night's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final against Dundee United with a muscle strain.

However, Aberdeen's treatment room has cleared considerably in the last couple of days, with only Richie Byrne and Smith short of fitness.

Calderwood admits that has left him with a tough decision over who to pick for the squad to face United at Tynecastle.

He said: "We have only got two injuries and I would have accepted that this time last week when we had about eight or nine.

"It is not just with picking the team that I have pleasant problems now, because you are only allowed 16 in your squad.

"We have 24 players who are fit, so I have to leave eight of them out.

"But I am very pleased to have that number of players to pick from because we have quite a hectic programme coming up."

Dundee United are no longer able to call on the services of Barry Robson after their inspirational former captain joined Celtic for £1.25million last week.

But United boss Craig Levein was able to bring in veteran striker Mark de Vries during the January transfer window and Calderwood thinks the Dutchman will be a menace in attack for the Tannadice club.

He said: "They have brought in Mark and he's not Barry Robson, but he can be a handful when he is fit and on form."

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