Kilmarnock V Inverness CT at Rugby Park : Match Preview

Kilmarnock V Inverness CT - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Kilmarnock skipper Mark Connolly adopts patient approach to comeback from injuryKilmarnock skipper Mark Connolly revealed a more patient approach to rehabilitation helped him recover quicker than expected from his knee injury.The Irishman hobbled off early in the 4-0 home defeat to Ross County in the Ladbrokes Premiership on August 22 with medial ligament damage.The 23-year-old, who suffered through injury last season, was initially determined once again to rush back but Killie physio Alex MacQueen reined him in, which speeded up his recovery.And ahead of the visit of Inverness on Saturday, where he could be in contention, Connolly said: "It is great to be back. Again, another injury that has kept me out for longer than two or three weeks."When I done my knee and broke my collarbone last season, it was difficult and this injury happened in the first few minutes of the game."I slid in and my knee stuck in the ground. I knew there was something wrong and had to come off."I am back sooner than I expected because of the physio."I always try to rush things to come back but he said, 'listen, we have to make sure and do it right'."It was very difficult. I was trying to tell the physio I was fine but realistically I wasn't and he was holding me back and rightly so."He has done everything right so fingers crossed there will be no problems and I can push on. I am raring to go."Connolly admits it has been difficult watching Killie from the sidelines during fluctuations in fortune which leaves them in 10th place following the international break.However, he has kept himself busy around the dressing room, even on the club's travels, where he has tried to help his team-mates in any way possible."Being captain, you want to be around," he said."I wanted to keep involved with the lads as much as I can so I went to Hearts and Dundee United. I didn't want to be sitting at home."I think the boys have been brilliant. They are really starting to come together as a team and I can't wait to get back out there, whether it be this weekend or next weekend."The main thing for me is winning games and hopefully we can beat Inverness on Saturday."Ryan Christie is delighted boss John Hughes is still in charge at Inverness - because he reckons he has not achieved all he can with Caley Thistle.The 51-year-old led the Highlanders to their first ever major trophy with last season's William Hill Scottish Cup triumph.As well as booking the club a European slot for the first time, that Hampden victory over Falkirk sent Hughes straight to the top of Dundee United's wanted list as they looked to replace Jackie McNamara.However, Caley chairman Kenny Cameron was determined not to lose his manager and knocked back an approach from Tannadice counterpart Stephen Thompson.Now Scotland Under-21 forward Christie - loaned back to the club after signing for Celtic - says Inverness should look forward to more success under Hughes.He said: "It was a bit strange because I was away with the Under-21s and was getting a lot of texts through about the manager's situation but I didn't really know what was going on."But to still have him at the club is brilliant considering of the heights he has taken us to in his short time here."I think it's fair to say he's got plenty more success in front of him here."It can be easier to get pulled away by the thought of moving to a bigger club but the success he has had wasn't just a one-season wonder."He wants to do it again. We've got aspirations to get back into Europe next year and that's what we're pushing for."Inverness had a difficult start to their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign but their 2-1 success over Highland rivals Ross County two weeks ago means they have won four of their last five matches.They now travel to Kilmarnock and Christie knows something will have to give on Saturday.He said: "I was away with a few of their boys like Stuart Findlay and Craig Slater with the Under-21s and they actually spoke very highly of Kilmarnock right now."They didn't feel it was a dire situation at all right now."They felt their had been a few games where they'd been on top but were unlucky not to get the points."They are in the same boat as us. They are desperate to keep their run going."

Source: PAR