Jefferies admits Andy Driver may miss new season kick-off

Kevin Kyle will be absent when the players travel to England next week but should take part in home friendlies against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers the following week. Barring any further complications following abductor surgery in June, the striker intends being ready to face St Johnstone on the season's opening day.

Lee Wallace will journey to England after medical reports revealed his calf tear is less serious than first feared. However, it is Driver's recovery from a thigh operation which is causing most concern at Riccarton.

"Driver is too early to say. He's taking it easy at the moment and he's a week or two away from stepping things up. I think he's touch and go for the start of the season," said Jefferies. "Kyle has been out jogging with the physio. We won't rush him but he's been doing a bit more than last week.

"The game against Dunfermline and the London trip will come too soon for him. We're targeting him to take part in the Wolves game.

"I'm a little bit more confident about him starting the season but you don't know these things until you step it up a bit.

"Wallace isn't quite as serious and by the end of the week he could be up and running again. There's a chance he may make the London trip but I think Dunfermline will just come too soon for him.

"I'm confident he will make the St Johnstone game because we did the right thing over in Italy by leaving him out for the last couple of days."