Derek McInnes has provided an injury update on Joe Wright with the defender yet to feature for Kilmarnock this season.
The 28-year-old was a key performer for Killie last term and became a regular starter at Rugby Park after arriving at the club following his release from Doncaster.
Wright was rewarded for his stellar performances when he penned a new two-year deal back in April, but a thigh injury in pre-season has caused problems heading into the new campaign.
The defender reported for Killie's pre-season camp in Largs, but since then he has been struggling with the issue and missed the League Cup group stages and the first two Scottish Premiership matches.
McInnes hopes to have Wright's experience back in his squad soon though as he updated on the Welshman. He explained: “Joe did the first four or five double sessions of the pre-season.
“He then felt his thigh and we thought it was just a minor strain.
“But he’s now been out for over a month and we are mindful of that with Joe.
“I think both Joe and the physios were pushing him a wee bit in Ireland to get him ready for the League Cup games. I take a bit of responsibility for that."
On the importance of Wright's experience in his Kilmarnock squad, McInnes added: “We were eager to get him back as he is such an important player, but thigh strains take as long as they take.
“Sometimes you just have to be patient with them and, hopefully, he is coming out the other end of it now.
“He will probably need a good week’s training and getting him back into it is crucial because he is one of our most experienced centre-backs along with Stuart Findlay.
“I think it is a position where having experience can be important.”
