Jump directly to the content
SICKENER

Kilmarnock ace Conor McAleny banned from meeting team-mates by Steve Clarke until he gets over bug

The former Everton striker joined Killie on a six-month loan deal but is yet to meet some members of the squad

STEVE CLARKE has had to ban Conor McAleny from meeting his new Kilmarnock team-mates after he was floored by a sickness bug.

The striker joined Killie on loan from Fleetwood Town last week just before the transfer window closed.

 Conor McAleny joined Killie on a six-month loan deal
2
Conor McAleny joined Killie on a six-month loan dealCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

But he’s been placed in quarantine to prevent the virus spreading through the rest of the Killie squad.

Everton Academy graduate McAleny missed Friday’s clash with Hearts and won’t be fit enough to face Dundee tomorrow.

But Clarke is hopeful he will have recovered in time to face Rangers in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

He said: “Unfortunately, Conor has had a terrible time since Thursday night.

 Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke banned McAleny from meeting team-mates during illness
2
Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke banned McAleny from meeting team-mates during illnessCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“He had 48 hours non-stop vomiting and hasn’t been able to train.

“Hopefully he will be better tomorrow and can join in at the weekend.

“It has not been a great start and because we think it is a virus we have had to keep him away from the group.

“He hasn’t even met some of his team-mates.

“It’s an unfortunate start but he has enough about him to bounce back.”

McAleny has joined Killie until May after dropping down the pecking order at Fleetwood under Joey Barton.

But Clarke is optimistic that the 26-year-old can rediscover the form which saw him impress during loan stints at Cardiff, Wigan and Oxford.

He said: “Conor is almost like a nine-and-a-half. He’s not a nine or a pure ten. He plays in that in-between position and is a big talent.


'I JUST WANT CONSISTENCY' Killie boss Steve Clarke wades into Jermain Defoe 'dive' storm


“He was highly thought of at Everton for years.

“He had a few great loans and a few that didn’t work out.

“He comes here with something to prove and he’s a talented footballer.”


Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary 


Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho helps Siberian ice hockey team
Topics