Allan Russell to miss start of Killie season

Jul 18 2008 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

SUMMER signing Allan Russell flew home early from Killie’s Italian training camp after being injured in a training match and will miss the start of the new season.

The 27-year-old striker was injured in a collision with defender Ryan O’Leary at the weekend.

After flying home with club chairman Michael Johnston on Monday, a scan revealed Russell had suffered ligament damage.

Chairman Johnston said: “Allan will be out for an estimated eight weeks, which is a huge disappointment to everyone involved at the club and the fans who were looking forward to seeing him in action.

“The good news is no operation will be needed, but he will be out until the middle of September, when we’ll be facing both sides of the Old Firm.”

Russell’s bad luck aside, Jefferies reports that everything else is going to plan as the players prepare in Il Ciccio for the upcoming campaign.

But it hasn’t all been fun in the sun for the 23-strong Killie squad as they had an unexpected rain shower on Monday morning as they trained.

“No-one was complaining though,” said the Killie gaffer, “as it’s been very, very hot, so the shower proved very refreshing.”

Jefferies is delighted with the players’ response to the tough schedule that the fitness guys have set them, but they did get some respite from the gruelling training routine when they went swimming on Monday evening.

“One or two of the lads have felt their hamstrings getting a bit tight,” he said, “so we’ve eased off a bit. The break in the pool will help in that direction.”

Jefferies is also delighted with the way ex-Gretna man Gavin Skelton has bonded with his new team mates.

“Both Allan (Russell) and Gavin have settled in well, and from what we’ve seen , they’ll be valuable additions.

As we revealed last week, 21-year-old French striker Joel Thomas has linked up with the Killie squad at their training base near the Italian town of Barga.

Said Jefferies: “Joel has also shaped up well in training, and we’ll have a close look at him before we return home on Thursday.

“However, it wasn’t possible for another French lad we had hoped to have with us to join us.”

But we can reveal that a 24-year-old Italian midfield player, currently with Parma, did attend the training camp at Il Ciccio.

“The player was recommended to us,” said the manager, “and looked the part while training with us on Monday. But at the moment my priority isn’t in midfield.

“It’s well documented that it’s in the forward area that I’m looking to strengthen, and even although the new season is coming up fast, I’ve still got a bit of time to bring someone in.”

Although they were due to play a local Barga amateur side on the eve of their return to Scotland, the Killie players will get their first taste of domestic opposition when they travel to play Airdrie Utd on Saturday.

That will be followed by away matches at Alloa on Monday, and Stenhousemuir next Wednesday.

“We’ll probably give most of the lads a run-out in these games,” said the manager, “as we try to shape the team for the later friendlies against English Championship sides Wolves, QPR and Coventry.

“I would expect by the time we get to the final match against Coventry on August 2, I would be looking to field a side close to the one I want to face Hibs on the opening day of the season.

“With the new players we have brought in and the younger lads coming through, we’ll have healthy competition for the season ahead.”

SETBACK: Allan Russell, pictured in pre-season training last week, is laid up with a knee injury. KST080708KILLIE-25

Striker to miss start of season after O’Leary tackle in Italy