Kevin Kyle prepares to kick-start career at Dunfermline

Kevin Kyle will bid to resurrect his career with Dunfermline Athletic this week after Billy Brown’s departure from Hibernian ended the Edinburgh club’s hopes of a possible swoop for the former Hearts striker.

Kyle has been sidelined for the last 18 months with a recurring hip problem but is hoping to prove his fitness in the coming weeks as he looks to step up his recovery from surgery.

The 31-year-old’s spells working with Jim Jefferies at Kilmarnock and Hearts always made the Pars favourites to give the Scotland cap pre-season training facilities when they return on Wednesday.

The former Coventry City and Sunderland player revealed recently, however, that Billy Brown had approached him over the possibility of joining Hibs for training this month.

But Brown’s departure from Hibs at the end of his contract at the weekend has effectively ruled out a dramatic switch to Easter Road.

Kyle said: “Jim has been terrific throughout my career and I’m going to the Pars with Jim. I’ll hopefully get through pre-season and then see what options there are.

“Billy Brown also wanted me to go to Hibs but that is a no-go now after he left his position as assistant-manager there.”