Jordan Jones has suffered a setback in his fitness battle.
The winger re-joined Kilmarnock on loan from Wigan and made his debut against Stenhousemuir in the Premier Sports Cup.
He managed an hour before being subbed off with one eye on the season opener against Dundee United.
But the Northern Irishman picked up a thigh injury that has been niggling away since, and he’ll undergo scans for the knock.
Killie boss McInnes said: “He played for an hour against Stenhousemuir and the plan was to get a few days’ training before the Dundee United game.
“He felt his thigh a little bit on the Thursday before the game. Thigh injuries are something you need to be really careful with as the slightest irritation can develop into eight weeks out.
“We have been mindful of Jordan’s injury and we were hoping he would make Ibrox or the Celtic game.
“He trained last week and completed the majority of the session before feeling something in his thigh again.
“We are trying to let it settle down and then have it re-scanned. It is frustrating for him.
“We could do with his speed, his creativity, his confidence and his quality.
“The sooner we get him back the better.”
McInnes admits Jones may be suffering from a lack of action before leaving his parent club.
He said: “He was not really given a proper pre-season programme at Wigan and he probably did not have enough game time at the end of last season.”
McInnes is also awaiting news of defender Jeriel Dorsett after he sustained an injury during Sunday’s 5-0 loss to Celtic.
The Reading loanee is having further scans this week for a potential ligament issue.
As well as Jones, Dorsett and long-term injury victim Scott Robinson, McInnes faces a lengthy spell without goalkeeper Zach Hemming.
But the Killie boss admits there has been positive news on the 22-year-old’s groin injury.
He said: “Middlesbrough seem to think he could be back in full training within the month, so that is a massive boost.
“That is a good few weeks ahead of schedule so to have him back would be a real bonus.”
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