ABERDEEN captain Ryan Jack accepts he is not guaranteed to reclaim his place despite declaring himself fit for today’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Morton.

The midfielder has been out for more than two months following knee surgery but rejoined Derek McInnes’ squad earlier this week and is desperate to take on Jim Duffy’s men.

But the 24-year-old knows he will have a fight on his hands to dislodge the likes of on-form colleagues Graeme Shinnie, Kenny McLean and James Maddison from the Dons midfield after watching the side rack up back-to-back 4-0 wins over Kilmarnock and Ross County.

Jack said: “You start the season feeling fit and strong after pre-season and I felt my form was going well, so to get a setback like I did was frustrating.

“I just had to get my head right. I’ve got good people around me to help me do that.

“It was the right decision to get it fixed when I did. If I hadn’t it could have gone on to become something more serious.

“I spoke to the surgeon on Tuesday, though, and he said I was fine to continue.

“I’m just delighted to be travelling down for the game and we will take it from there.

“The team is on a great run and I’m just back from injury so I accept it might take a bit of time to get myself back in.

“I look at the quality we have in the team and on the bench and there are no guarantees for anybody. But that’s the way you want it to be.”

The Reds are looking forward to their third league cup semi-final in four years but today’s clash is an even rarer treat for their Greenock opponents, who have not made the last four of a national cup competition since 1981.

Jack has the utmost respect for Duffy’s Cappielow side.

He said: “Saturday will feel like a cup final for them but we need to match that. It’s just as big an occasion for us.”