Killie And Hearts Players Looking To Impress

Last updated : 30 April 2011 By Ed_ScottishFitba

Kilmarnock v Hearts logosKilmarnock's Mohamadou Sissoko should return from a groin injury for today's game against Hearts. The defender has returned to training but Craig Bryson is a doubt after picking up a knock against Dundee United last week. Kilmarnock are without Mehdi Taouil (hamstring), Frazer Wright (shoulder) and Ryan O'Leary (hamstring). 
 
James Dayton endured seven months of pain and hard work to return to the team following his second cruciate ligament injury, but he is not about to cut back his efforts during the summer break. Dayton has made two substitute appearances this month after recovering from the knee injury he suffered five games into his Kilmarnock career. He will not start today, but hopes to do so before the end of the season. Dayton plans to only take a week off before building up for the new campaign, which kicks off on July 23, as he looks to make up for the false start to his Rugby Park career. The former Crystal Palace trainee said: "I have spoken to the physio and the sports science guy and said I would probably have a week's rest and then keep going. I don't want to have two or three weeks' rest and lose everything. I want to go into the start of the pre-season really fit. I want to be fitter than the other boys, it would be good to have a head start.'' 
 
Hearts will be without Suso Santana and Ismael Bouzid for today's game. Santana is out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery and Bouzid is to serve a two-game suspension for breaching the disciplinary threshold, but captain Marius Zaliukas is available following a ban. Andy Webster and Ruben Palazuelos (both groin) are doubtful, Andrew Driver (knee) and Rudi Skacel (Achilles) have been carrying knocks and Jason Thomson (hamstring), Calum Elliot (knee) and Kevin Kyle (hip) are out. 
 
Darren Barr hopes to help Hearts clinch third place in the SPL this weekend before proving his ability in the final weeks of the season. Barr joined from Falkirk last summer but has endured a campaign riddled by injury. Barr recently underwent hernia surgery and he is focused on regaining full fitness and claiming a regular place in the Hearts team. A win today and a defeat for fourth-placed Dundee United at Celtic on Sunday would see Hearts take an unassailable 10-point lead in the race for third place with three games left of the campaign. Such a scenario should help Barr's cause for more playing time. Despite only one win in eight games - five of which ended in draws - Barr insists Hearts are close to returning to winning ways. He added: "We've not been playing badly. It's about trying to get the wins to get over the line. It doesn't matter what the other teams do, it's about what we do. If we get the win on Saturday that could be it.''