LYONS HEART

Del admits having Brad back for run-in is a huge boost to Killie’s Euro crusade

- CRAIG SWAN

DEREK McINNES says Brad Lyons will be like a new spring signing as he prepares to hand Kilmarnock a huge boost in their bid for Europe. 

The midfielder hasn’t played this year after sustaining a knee injury against Dundee at the end of December, which resulted in him getting surgery.

But McInnes has confirmed Lyons is set to be back at the start of next month after the 26-yearold missed a dozen games.

The gaffer said: “Brad will be back ahead of the split, so he’ll be fit for St Johnstone in the last game before it or potentially Ross County the week before.

“He’ll be like a new signing at that time of the season. Him and Kyle Magennis were outstanding for us in the early part of the campaign and when Liam Donnelly and Rory McKenzie were injured, we had these boys.

“Now, with Brad and Kyle injured, we have Donnelly, McKenzie, Davie Watson and Liam Polworth helping us out. And that’s what a squad is all about.”