Burchill set for Kilmarnock debut

Burchill joined Kilmarnock in the summer, but has yet to make his debut

Mark Burchill may make his competitive debut for Kilmarnock for the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday.

The former Celtic striker signed for the Ayrshire club in the summer but injured his Achilles tendon in a pre-season friendly and required surgery.

"Mark had his first 90 minutes in a closed-doors game and I will have him in the squad," said Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies.

"If you are looking for a goal then he has got to get a chance."

The 29-year-old, who won the last of his six caps for Scotland in 2000, is likely to be on the bench against the Perth side.

Hopefully we can give him a run for the right reasons, when we have stuck the ball in the net and can afford to bring him on Jim Jefferies

However, Jefferies would prefer to be in front before introducing the player to the Rugby Park crowd.

"If we do put him on the bench, hopefully we won't need him," said Jefferies.

"Hopefully we can give him a run for the right reasons, when we have stuck the ball in the net and can afford to bring him on."

Meanwhile, striker Allan Russell could be absent from Jefferies' squad for several weeks after breaking his hand in the same closed-doors game.

Russell has only made two appearances from the bench this season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in March and Jefferies was dismayed by the news.

"Allan will be out for the next couple of weeks," Jefferies revealed.

"It is a blow for him and the club.

"He fought his way back from a serious knee injury and then this happens to him."