JOSH WALKER feared his season was finished after suffering medial ligament damage then breaking an ankle in his comeback. But the England youth captain can hardly believe he is now chasing a cup treble with Aberdeen. Walker's transfer-window loan move from Middlesbrough is set to transform the teenager's career because he will be challenging on four fronts - the three cups and the league. The 18-year-old, who will be involved in tonight's CIS Cup semi-final against Dundee United at Tynecastle, said: "At the start of the season I was still playing under-18 football when I ruptured a medial knee ligament then broke my ankle on my comeback. "I couldn't get much lower because I thought my season was over. But I got back playing in the reserves within five months which was good going given the injuries. "Now I have the chance to test myself at the top level in Scotland and possibly play European football too. "Semi-finals of the CIS Cup, a Scottish Cup quarter-final, league games against Celtic and Rangers as well as Bayern Munich - what else can I ask for? "It was a huge attraction to come to Aberdeen. I've had to settle in quickly because we have so many important games coming up and I came here to be involved in these big occasions. "It will be a real test. Hamilton might be in a lower division but they put up a good fight in the Scottish Cup and now I will be meeting better opposition. We have a couple of games against Celtic to come and of course there's Bayern Munich, who are one of the top teams in the world so it's a really exciting time. "Now we are just one game away from getting through to play Rangers in the final at Hampden so it's an amazing turnaround for me. "We'll play a top side if we get to the CIS Cup Final but we can't lose sight of the fact Dundee United will be equally tough. Their players will be just as determined as us to get there." Midfielder Walker revealed that he is aiming to add to his medal haul in his five months at Pittodrie. He said: "I was only 13 or 14 when I was part of the Middlesbrough squad that won the youth cup but I was involved in every game and on the bench for the final. "I was the youngest and got a medal. It would be great to get one here in the next few months and we have three chances to do that. "It's my birthday when we play the away leg against Bayern Munich and my mum and dad have asked me what I want for a present. I told them a start and a win in Germany. "Over the last couple of years, Scotland's national team have progressed massively and done better than England in terms of results. "There are a lot of good young Scottish players coming through so I think the future's bright up here. "I spoke to my England team-mate Sone Aluko when I learned Aberdeen were after me. He said the lads were really great here and it's been exactly like he said. Everyone has made me feel really welcome." Jimmy Calderwood decided to pencil Walker into his plans after the youngster lit up a freezing day at Gayfield. Calderwood said: "I was at Arbroath last week for a reserve game and it was the second coldest day of my life. "The wind was howling, the keeper couldn't clear the ball out of his own box yet Josh was everywhere, trying to get on the ball or taking free kicks. "He's just 18 yet he showed exactly why he captained England at every youth level. "He has quality, physical presence and just loves playing this game. He has everything about him that is needed to be a top player. "But most of all he's a winner with the hunger to succeed. "I spoke to him this morning because he's had two hard games but he assured me he's all right for Tynecastle, which was what I had expected. "I signed Alan Maybury because he's a great professional who can play in several positions. He's a winner too and you can't have enough of them in your squad." However, Calderwood's preparations for Tynecastle were rocked yesterday when midfielder Jamie Smith limped out of training with his latest injury to a hamstring. Calderwood said: "Training was almost over and it been a great session when Jamie mis hit a cross and felt his hamstring go. "With the schedule we've got, we can't take any chances. "I don't think he'll be out long-term. But he misses the semi-final which is a blow because he's special and you could see that from the reaction of the players and management. "However, we must get on with it and have loads of choices. Last week we had only 16 fit players but now have 24 available. "I don't feel any extra pressure to get to a final despite Willie Miller saying how important it is for Aberdeen to make it to Hampden. "We know what our supporters expect and, hopefully, we will deliver. "If we beat Dundee United, it would be the perfect launchpad going into a run of massive games. "The CIS Cup would then go on the backburner until the middle of March and the win would give us the confidence entering this crucial programme." | 
