Kyle Lafferty's lengthy suspension has finally been served.
Back in October, the Kilmarnock forward was handed a ten-game ban by the Scottish FA for directing a sectarian slur at a man in a Belfast nightspot.
The Northern Ireland international pleaded guilty to the charge and on top of the ban, he has attended education classes organised by Nil By Mouth at Rugby Park.
Now, after yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park, the 35-year-old is set to hand Derek McInnes a massive boost ahead of the second-half of the season.
In particular, the ex-Rangers and Hearts hitman will be available for selection in perfect timing for Saturday's League Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
The game will be Killie's first outing at the national stadium since they defeated the Hoops back in the League Cup final in 2012.
While the odds are stacked firmly against the Ayrshire outfit, it will be an occasion to enjoy for McInnes' side and importantly the fans.
Killie defended resolutely in yesterday's loss at Parkhead. The champions undoubtedly deserved to win, showing their sharpness and ultimate quality in key moments of the game, but the Rugby Park club can take encouragement from the way they set about the task of containing Celtic.
With Lafferty back in attack next week, alongside Kyle Vassell - who made his debut on Saturday - and Scott Robinson, Killie's attacking options look considerably brighter than they for the past three-months.
Since Lafferty's ban was introduced on October 20, Killie have scored just nine goals. Only one of those was scored by a striker - Robinson versus Aberdeen.
Their form over that ten-game period has been patchy to say the least as well with just three wins in that time. Five of the games ended in defeat.
While Lafferty may only have scored three goals this term prior to his suspension, his influence was clearly growing on his teammates. He was holding the ball up well and he was taking the team up the park. He played a massive role in helping Danny Armstrong hit a rich vein of form.
He scored in his final game before sitting out for ten matches. That came in the quarter-final of the Viaplay Cup against Dundee United, setting up next week's huge encounter with the trophy holders.
Of course, the return of Lafferty does not mean that Killie will suddenly be capable of turning Celtic over at Hampden. Everyone knows just how good Ange Postecoglou's side are.
But there's no doubt that his presence at least boosts their chances of posing an attacking threat.
