Arsenal loan star Alex Kirk has handed Ayr United a huge New Year injury boost.
The centre half, on loan at Somerset from the English Premiership leaders, is back fit at Somerset Park.
The 20-year-old would have played in yesterday's postponed clash at Morton which was frozen off.
It marks a rapid return for the highly rated defender, who was initially expected to miss another two months.
United feared losing Kirk to a lengthy spell on the sidelines when he was stretchered off at Inverness on November 19.
But early suspicions over a fractured ankle proved unfounded, with Kirk able to make a much quicker than anticipated recovery.
The centre half has been back in training with the Gunners and now returned north to join his Ayr teammates.
Boss Lee Bullen told the Ayrshire Post: "It's great news and we're delighted to have Alex back with us.
"His attitude has been first class and he's been determined to rejoin us as quickly as he could.
"Obviously we feared the injury was much worse at the time, so to have him back way ahead of schedule is a big bonus."
Ayr's recent injury crisis is finally showing signs of clearing with Daire O'Connor also back in training, while Jordan Houston is another nearing a return.
Frankie Musonda is back in light training but remains a few weeks away from a first team return.
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