Kilmarnock forced to change transfer priorities after double injury blow

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admits his transfer priorities have shifted after strikers Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron were both ruled out for two months.

Vassell had a scan after jarring his lower leg against St Mirren last week and Cameron suffered an injury early in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Ross County.

Killie went a second home game without finding the net when they were held to a goalless draw by Motherwell on Wednesday.

McInnes will look to get support for front three Bruce Anderson, Bobby Wales and Marley Watkins, although he has had some good news about the fitness of winger Matty Kennedy, who has been missing for two months.

McInnes said: “Vass is a blow, Innes is a blow because he’s actually been doing so well of late. Vassell will be out for a couple of months with a ligament tear, Innes is out for two months with a hamstring tear.

“Our most creative player, arguably, Matty Kennedy, started the season like a train and hopefully he will be back in the next week or two. We had some positives news on him, he goes down for a further injection on his back on Friday.

“It’s been frustrating that we’ve not had Matty back before now.

“He’s far more positive with it, he’s had a good discussion with the surgeon and he is going the right way. He might be touch and go for Celtic but I think he will back in time for the Hearts game, which will be brilliant for us.

“We still have Stu Findlay (injured), he is a bit further away.

“The month of January maybe allows us to deal with certain injury situations. We had probably looked at defence as the priority going into the window.

“While we were always looking at attacking options, because you are always looking for people to improve you at the top end of the pitch, it’s become a wee bit more pressing because of the injuries.”