Willie Gibson joins Killie's casualty list

Dec 12 2008 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

WINGER Willie Gibson is the latest player to be hit with the injury jinx that’s hanging over Rugby Park.

The 23-year-old, who looked impressive in his appearances against Inverness CT and Hamilton, cracked a knee bone in training – a similar injury suffered recently by Garry Hay.

Said boss Jim Jefferies: “It’s a real blow for the lad and the team, for Willie looked to be right back to his best.”

That means that the former Queen of the South player will be out of action for the next four or five weeks.

Killie will also be without the suspended David Fernandez for Monday night’s crucial match against Motherwell at Fir Park.

This latest injury blow means that Jefferies is down to the bare bones as far as attacking options are concerned, with Allan Russell and Conor Sammon likely favourites to lead the line at Motherwell.

As far as Donovan Simmonds’ availability is concerned, Jefferies said that the on-loan player might or might not be available for the trip to Lanarkshire.

“It’s a day-to-day thing with Donovan,“ he explained. “He could be up and away anytime as we’re in the hands of Coventry as far as that’s concerned.”

But the unexpected postponement of last Saturday’s home fixture against Aberdeen means that Alan Combe and Danny Invincibile are back in the frame for a first-team start.

Said Jefferies: “Alan wouldn’t have made the Aberdeen game and Danny might have made it at a push, but both should be available for Monday night.”

Motherwell, like Killie, were the victims of the weather last Saturday, with both managers expressing disappointment that their games had to be called off on the Saturday morning.

“It was very disappointing,” said Jefferies, “having trained all week ahead of the game, so it was a bit of an anti-climax when it was cancelled.”

And it will be another footie-free Saturday for Killie fans this weekend before they head for Fir Park on Monday, where a draw would be a decent result, and enough to keep them two points ahead of Mark McGhee’s side.

“It’s a tough place to go,” said Jefferies, “even although they’ve been blowing a bit hot and cold this season, but a win would put us right back in the hunt for the top six.

“Results went for us last Saturday so a win against Motherwell would keep us in touch with the top half.”

The manager confirmed this week that talks are ongoing with Combe, whose contract is up at the end of the season.

He said: “I’m hoping he stays, but like every player who is out of contract he has freedom of choice. I’ve signed players on Bosmans and I’ve also lost players, and you just have to accept that.

“We’ve made Alan as good an offer as we can and he’s happy with the length of the contract on offer, but if someone makes a better offer then we just can’t compete with that.

“Only the player can make up his mind but we know that he likes it here and is comfortable at the club.”

But like all good managers, Jefferies is preparing for the possibility of a key player departing Rugby Park.

He revealed this week that 28-year-old Latvian goalkeeper Andrjes Pavlovs is currently training with the club.

“He’s an experienced lad,” said Jefferies, “stands around six feet five and been capped five or six times for his country.

“It’s a good chance to have a look at him in training and decide whether or not to pursue our interest.”

Another trialist, Armand One, was due to play in the midweek reserve fixture against Dundee United.

Said Jefferies: “We managed to get Armand registered as an amateur to play in the game, so it’s a chance for him to show what he can do.”

We can also reveal that Craig Bryson has signed a new deal with Killie, which sees him stay with the club until 2013.

National newspapers have linked former Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters with Killie, but that’s news to the Killie gaffer.

Said Jefferies: “An agent called me and told me Robbie was back from Norway, but that’s as far as it goes.

“He knows David Lilley well from the time they were both at Aberdeen and he has trained with us previously because of that relationship.

“We have made no arrangements to do anything as far as Robbie is concerned but he would be welcome to come and train with us if he wanted.”