BY KYLE GUNN 

Oran Kearney has been handed an injury boost by the return of Anton Ferdinand for tonight’s St Mirren game against Motherwell.

The experienced stopper was subbed off at half time in the defeat to Kilmarnock and missed the subsequent loss to St Johnstone. 

But he’s set to return to the squad for the crunch clash with the Steelmen. 

READ MORE: Kilmarnock defeat took Oran Kearney two days to get over

Kearney said:  “Anton trained yesterday and today (Monday and Tuesday), so he’s feeling good.”

He also gave a positive update on long term absentees, left back Adam Eckersley and midfielder Kyle Magennis.

The Gazette:

Adam Eckersley (left) and Kyle Magennis have been long term absentees for the side 

He continued: “With Adam, there was a wee bit of a concern that the game yesterday was on an artificial pitch. You always look at the time someone has been out, when you’re trying to time their rehabilitation back to the club.

READ MORE: Lee Hodson: Motherwell clash is 'massive'

“Monday was 50 minutes because that’s what we decided before the game. He’ll take a day off  today and resume training on Thursday. Ideally the next time we’ll get to 60, 65, 70 minutes.

“Kyle is in the final stages of rehab. That’s about faith and faith in people. Alex MacQueen, our physio, is fantastic and I have lot of faith in Alex.

"When he is ready he’ll come back into training, because Alex will put him back into training. It’s not about me torturing Alex and saying when can I have him back. One thing I do know is when Alex hands him back, he’ll be ready.”