Aberdeen forward Derek Young has been ruled out for the next six weeks after his knee injury proved more serious than was first thought.The 28-year-old has missed the last six games after suffering the injury during the 5-1 home defeat by Celtic in the SPL.

Manager Jimmy Calderwood confirmed Young will also miss the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Celtic on Sunday and is unlikely to play again until mid-April.

"He got it against Celtic here and they've found out it's ligament damage in his knee," said Calderwood.

"It's going to be six weeks at least which is a massive blow, because the lad has done really well this season."

Young was a surprise summer signing by Aberdeen, who brought him back to Pittodrie after a disappointing spell with Partick, but he has featured in the first team frequently.

Calderwood is hoping Jamie Smith will return to ease his injury problems for the clash with Gordon Strachan's side.

Midfielder Smith is a key cog in the Dons side when fit, but he has been absent since January with hamstring trouble.

His return has lifted spirits on the training pitch, Calderwood admitted.

Calderwood told Red TV, on www.afc.co.uk: "He's got two great feet, he's quick, he's aggressive, he's got a great football brain.

"He goes into positions where he's hard to mark. You want to play with good players.

"You know it doesn't matter where he gets the ball, he'll get it under control and he knows where the next pass is going.

"He's been a bit of a talisman for us this season and it would be a massive boost to get him back, especially with Barry Nicholson missing the game."

Smith shirked no tests on the training pitch and, with Nicholson suspended, could slot straight back into the starting line-up on Sunday.

"We had a very hard training session," said Calderwood.

"I kept asking him every five or 10 minutes how he was and was that enough for him, but he took part in everything and he was outstanding. Hopefully there's no reaction."

Aberdeen languish in eighth place in the SPL, and Calderwood admits their most obvious path to Europe next season will be via the Scottish Cup, even though they must beat the holders to advance to the last four.

"It's the last chance cup-tie-wise," said the Dons boss.

"We've made it very difficult for ourselves in the league and although it's Celtic it's definitely the shortest route to Europe.

"We could put a smile back on the supporters' faces if we can win this one and get to the semi-final."

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