Lafferty Set For Return

[ian1964 10,720]

KYLE LAFFERTY has handed Walter Smith a boost ahead of the crucial SPL run in by declaring himself fit for this weekend's Ibrox meeting with Hearts.

 

Kyle LaffertyThe Northern Ireland star has been missing for over five weeks after suffering an ankle injury the last time the Tynecastle club made the trip to Govan.

 

But after fearing that his season was over, the news that Lafferty will now be available for Rangers' final five league matches and the Scottish Cup final will come as a timely lift for the 21-year-old.

 

The eight goal striker has returned to training with the rest of the first team squad this week and hopes to make the bench against Hearts on Sunday.

 

He said: "I've trained with the squad for the second time today and I'm available for selection on Sunday which is a big bonus for me.

 

Kyle Lafferty"When I first got the injury I thought that was my season finished. I kept hearing it would be two months but then when I was told 4-6 weeks it gave me something to aim for.

 

"It's about five weeks since I did it now so I'm really happy with that. I had been doing well in the first 35 minutes or so against Hearts before I came off with the injury and now I'm just hoping to get a run out and maybe a goal at the weekend.

 

"But I think it would be harsh on the lads that have come in if I went straight back in to the starting line up because they have done really well and gone on a great run.

 

"So I know it is going to be difficult to get back in the team. I just have to work hard in training and if I get a chance in the game I need to show what I can do again.

 

"Of course everybody wants to be involved in the run in and if we go about things the right way we should be ok. Hopefully I can play a big part in that now."

[Super_Ally 0]

I posted elsewhere that as a partnership Boyd and Velicka have 6 goals in 3 games, with Velicka getting 3 in the last 3 and Boyd getting 5 or 6 in his last 5 games (not 100% on Boyd's recent stats).

 

So does Walter break up a succesful partnership to get a better combination in terms of strike force (although not necessarily in terms of goals scored) with players who compliment each others. I.e. the "strength" and goalscoring of Boyd/Velicka with the more mobile Lafferty/Miller. Or does he stick with what we've seen, and benefitted from, recently.

 

Personally I think he'll persist with Boyd and Velicka and hope it ccontinues to prove a fruitful partnership rather than taking the risk of dropping on of them (more likely Velicka if recent substitutions are anything to go on) for one of the more mobile forwards. Can't really blame him for that with the run of results, but with the higher quality opposition a braver decision might be the way forward.