Kilmarnock FC: Injured trio on the mend

Oct 5 2012 by Lizzie Smith, Kilmarnock Standard

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels reckons his side will be even stronger in the month ahead.

Injured striker Paul Heffernan, keeper Cammy Bell and defender Jeroen Tesselaar are returning to full fitness.

Shiels said: “Heffernan is back training but not to play yet. We’ve to be mindful he’d a really bad injury.”

The 30-year-old frontman broke his collarbone during a friendly early in August.

Bell broke a bone in his wrist against Motherwell , while Tesselaar pulled his hamstring in the Scottish Communities League Cup tie against Stenhousemuir, in August. The Killie boss was delighted to welcome back both players at training this week at Glasgow’s Garscube.

Shiels said: “Hopefully, the three of them will be fit for selection come October 20, which is good.”

Fans are relishing last season’s top striker Heffernan joining forces with on-fire signing Cillian Sheridan who has netted four goals in the last two games.

His hat-trick sealed a 3-1 win over Hearts on Saturday to ensure Killie haven’t lost at Tynecastle for three seasons.

For Shiels, Sheridan’s star show brought back memories of a former Rugby Park favourite.

“I’m not putting pressure on the boy, but there’s similar things happening here that happened with Conor (Sammon),” he said.

“It’s up to me to make sure that the development programme for each individual player helps each player to fulfil his maximum potential.

“The mental development, the physical development; all of that is part of the programme that he’s on at the moment and I’m seeing it evolve straight in front of me.”

On Saturday, SPL history was made with the most goals scored in a day – 26 from six games.

Killie have netted six goals in back-to-back victories as Shiels is aware the Rugby Park men must keep pushing for wins.

“There is nothing between the teams in the league,” said Shiels.

“We are training well. There is good energy about the place after those wins. We need to build on that.”

This Saturday, Rugby Park will play host to Aberdeen who haven’t lost in their last seven games.

Shiels said: “Aberdeen is a big club. They brought in six players in 2012 – Russell Anderson, Mark Reynolds, Niall McGinn, Johnny Hayes, Gary Naysmith and Gavin Rae.

“It was a big change but they are a very good, experienced and resilient side.”