Ross County winger Chris Eagles has been backed to play a major role in the Staggies’ survival push.
Former Manchester United midfielder Eagles is working his way back from a groin injury which has curtailed his involvement in recent weeks, having not appeared since being withdrawn at half time in the 4-2 loss to Aberdeen on January 31.
County manager Owen Coyle previously worked with Eagles at Burnley and Bolton Wanderers and he is confident the 32-year-old can make a strong impact in County’s remaining games, with the Dingwall men two points adrift at the foot of the table ahead of tomorrow’s trip to St Johnstone.
Coyle said: “He played the game against Aberdeen and came off, missing the following weekend. Even prior to that, he has had this little niggle and come on and off.
“Our physio, Kevin Bain, has been dealing with it. He came back into training last week and just felt it a little bit.
“Chris, we believe, will have a lot to offer in the run-in, but what he needs, especially given the position he plays in, is to be free and unhindered by the niggling injury and fully fit.
“It is a bit like young Davis Keillor-Dunn when he had those niggles of his own – that type of player needs to be fully up to speed.
“I had a good chat with him and we’re hoping Chris will be back in full training by next week and that gives us a real plethora of quality at the top end of the field. It will give us a real choices there.
“He is somebody I know very well and I have no doubt that, in the final part of the season, he will have a role to play.
“That kind of creative ability he has can make all the difference in tight games.”
After taking four points from their last two games, following a run of 13 matches without a victory, Coyle is determined to keep the momentum going at McDiarmid Park this weekend.
He added: “We were looking at the games – Dundee away and Hearts at home – and coming into the run of matches we felt there were points to be taken.
“But the only way to do that was to deliver on the field. We need to make sure we carry that on and play at the level we have.
“If we continue at that high level, it will bring points and wins.”
