Kilmarnock may have to set sights on new striker as they wait on injury news

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes admitted he may have to target a striker in the January transfer window, following recent injuries to Kyle Vassell and Innes Cameron.

Captain Vassell went off with a shin problem against St Mirren on Thursday, while Cameron suffered a suspected hamstring injury just three minutes into Sunday’s game at home to Ross County, with both set to be scanned this week.

Ahead of Wednesday’s crunch match against top-six rivals Motherwell, McInnes hinted that Killie may also be in the market for a defender, with centre-back Stuart Findlay out for the majority of the season with severe ligament damage.

He said: “We could do with good fortune on Vassell’s scan.

“The X-ray was clear but we need further investigation to see if more is shown up. He’s still in pain, he’s still in a boot.

“Innes has been doing well but if it’s hamstring, then we would naturally look at the forward areas as we are short there. We lacked a bit of presence against Ross County.

“With Stuart Findlay’s injury, we were maybe looking at a defensive option to bring in.

“If we can get good news on Vassell and Cameron, then it might not be as pressing to get someone in at the top end.

“If it’s bad news then our focus might need to go there. Let’s wait and see what we are dealing with first.”

With Killie not in league action again for over two weeks following Wednesday’s game, McInnes is desperate for his side to bounce back from their surprise defeat to County when they host a Motherwell side who sit six points ahead of them in their quest to reach the top six.

He added: “This is our last league game until January 25. That’s a long wait for us.

“We had this opportunity to go into the top six and we didn’t take it. It’s very tight with five or six teams and if you can get a run, three or four wins from five, it helps.

“We now have the chance at home against a Motherwell team who had a good result against Aberdeen.

“We are at home and it’s up to us, regardless of who is available, to have that laser focus and do what we can to get a result.

“We will see where the injury situation is but it’s a home game, we are normally good here and hopefully we can go again.”

The Killie boss also revealed that Matty Kennedy is being sent to see a specialist as he looks to get to the bottom of a back issue, although Rory McKenzie and Liam Polworth could both return from injury for the game against the Steelmen.