Kilmarnock’s Kyle Letheren on a proving mission

The 24-year-old played in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Dundee United after first-choice goalkeeper Cammy Bell suffered a broken wrist, and will be in goal when Kilmarnock start the defence of their Scottish Communities League Cup against Stenhousemuir tonight.

Letheren waited almost two years for his Kilmarnock debut, playing two games towards the end of last season, and he is looking to seize an extended opportunity.

The Welshman, whose only previous first-team experience was a substitute appearance for Barnsley, said: “I didn’t wish that injury upon Cammy but that happens in football and I’ve got eight weeks to prove myself. I’m looking forward to it and going to grasp it with both hands.

“I’m not a nervous boy, I’m a very confident boy. I’ve played three SPL games now and been on the winning side three times and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep it that way.

“I’m going to get better the more games I play. I’m going to work as hard as I can and see where we are at the end of the eight weeks.”

Kilmarnock will have five of last season’s cup final team missing. As well as Bell, Garry Hay (knee) and Paul Heffernan (collarbone) remain on the injury list, while Gary Harkins drops out with a facial injury and Liam Kelly is sidelined by a knock.

Stenhousemuir are unbeaten so far this season, but after allowing Stranraer to hit back and draw 1-1 on Saturday, manager Martyn Corrigan wants his side to be deadly in front of goal.

“We need to pull our socks up in terms of taking chances as we missed a few at the weekend,” said Corrigan. “We were not ruthless enough but I know that a Kilmarnock will be ruthless if we give them an opportunity.”

Corrigan will finalise his team after a late check on captain Ross McMillan who had to be substituted after becoming ill at Stair Park. Eric Paton is already ruled out and Kevin McKinlay is struggling due to a calf problem.