Lee Ashcroft, the Kilmarnock defender, had to wait two-and-a-half months to reclaim his place in the team and Allan Johnston has urged him to make sure that he is not left waiting as long for his next chance to impress at Rugby Park.
The 21-year-old will replace suspended captain Manuel Pascali for tomorrow's SPFL Premiership visit of Dundee. However, it has been a frustrating campaign for the Barrhead youngster, who has started just once so far this season. That was on the opening day of the season when Kilmarnock took on the Dens Park side the first time round.
Pascali's red card in last weekend's 2-0 defeat by Celtic has offered the defender his opportunity to stake a claim on a starting position for the rest of the campaign. Johnston wants to see Ashcroft make the most of it.
"Pasca has been doing really well for us so he will be a big miss. But we have got guys like Lee Ashcroft who can come in and play in his place," said the Kilmarnock manager. "Lee did really well for us last season, but this year has been frustrating for him as he's been left on the bench.
"That is part and parcel of the team doing well. Not everyone is going to get a game but you have got to take your chance when it comes to you. Lee has got a great attitude, though, and he has made sure he has kept his standards up in training while he waited for his opportunity. He is going to be involved this week."
Dundee are wary of who Johnston selects in attack for the home side, with Alexei Eremenko expected to return to the side having been taken off early against Celtic as a consequence of Pascali's red card. Paul Hartley, the Dundee manager, has acknowledged the threat posed by the Finn when he is on form, not least since his influence can be as impressive as Dens Park playmaker Gary Harkins.
"Killie have got good attacking players like Eremenko," said Hartley. "I think Eremenko is in the mould of Harkins. He's that type of player. He's got all the ability in the world.
"You know something is going to happen when he's on the ball, that's what he's all about. He'll be a threat on Saturday so we'll have to watch him carefully."
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