Jim McIntyre is hopeful of having defender Kyle McClelland back in action for Cove Rangers in the near future.
Young defender McClelland, who signed on loan from Hibernian in September, has been absent for nearly two months after going off injured in the win over Dundee.
McClelland had to be taken off after damaging ankle ligaments and has since been completing his rehabilitation with his parent club.
He had been looking to forge a partnership with fellow loanee Jack Sanders, but instead McIntyre has turned to veteran Mark Reynolds to fill the gap, with centre-back Scott Ross also spending time out injured.
The 20-year-old is the last injury concern McIntyre has and the Cove boss should have a full-strength squad again in the coming weeks.
“He (McLelland) is coming on well,” said McIntyre. “He’s back doing a bit of running and he’s going to spend the next two weeks doing a bit of rehab, to get his fitness levels up. He should be back with us after the start of December.
“When you come on loan, you’re hoping to play games and he started well.
Kyle McClelland’s bad injury
“But he picked up a bad injury and it’s kept him out for quite a while – it’s a sore one and I’m sure he’s desperate to get going again.
“It was an ankle ligament injury and they always take a while to heal. It’s important that he gets it right so he comes back strong.
“Once he’s back that’s a full squad available to us, so touch wood everyone stays fit and healthy.”
McClelland joined the Hibees in the summer from Rangers on a three-year deal. He spent last season on loan with League One side Falkirk and is a Northern Ireland youth international.
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