Source: FOOTYMAD
Injury Worries Ease For Bryson
Killie's Craig Bryson could be back to full fitness for the next national squad. Craig Bryson could well be heading in the right direction to add to his Scotland cap after missing out this time around. The Killie captain, along with club-mate Cammy Bell, made his international debut against the Faroe Islands in a friendly in November. But while the goalkeeper retained his place in Craig Levein's squad for Wednesday night's Carling Nations Cup 3-0 win over Northern Ireland, Bryson's chances of a recall were scuppered by injury. Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen is confident that once fully recovered from his ankle injury, which saw Bryson on the sidelines for a number of weeks, he will be back in contention for a recall to the national squad. Bryson could yet make the squad for the league game against Hibs which would be an encouraging milestone. Paatelainen said: "He was playing fantastically well before the injury. He was absolutely flying, he was scoring goals and he was playing well. He was assisting goals and everything was there defensively. They were real all-round performances in midfield. It was a pity he got the injury but I'm sure the opportunity to perform at Scotland level again will hopefully come for him because he deserves it." However, the injury may have delivered a silver lining to the cloud that appeared when Conor Sammon moved south during the transfer window. There was speculation that Bryson would also be heading for the exit door in January but Paatelainen still has him on his books. The Killie manager said: "There was a lot of interest in him. Clubs were lurking around the corners and looking at him. If he was fit, possibly he might have moved on. His time will come, there is no question about it. If he keeps applying himself as he does, putting the effort in and playing as well as he has done, I can see him moving on and playing on the big stage one day. He's a great player and a great guy who always gives us 100% and he's a pleasure to work with." Paatelainen is keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about about the possibility of swooping for any free agents to bolster his squad. He said: "There is nothing to say at the moment. We always look at players, whether the window is open or closed. That's the situation at the moment as well but there is nothing to announce." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
