Manuel Pascali breaks leg in freak training accident

KILMARNOCK skipper Manuel Pascali is out for the rest of the season after breaking his lower leg in a freak training ground accident yesterday.

The loss of the 30-year-old Italian defender, who sustained the fractured fibula while stretching for the ball, represents a huge setback to the Ayrshire club, who are aiming for a top-six place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and who face Celtic in next month’s Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden. Rugby Park manager Kenny Shiels said: “I am really disappointed for Manuel. It is a really big blow for him and the team.

“He has so much passion to do well, and there was the cup final for him coming up. It wasn’t an impact injury, it was while he was stretching for the ball. It gives the opportunity for other players to come in and try to stake their place, but I am really gutted.

“We now have to garner some intensive energy to make up for the loss of Manuel.”

Shiels also confirmed the signing of former Bristol City player Lee Johnson on a two-and-half-year deal.

The Englishman last night received international clearance and will be in the squad to face his former club Hearts at Rugby Park today.

On the recruitment of the free agent midfielder, Northern Irishman Shiels explained: “He is our type of player. He will help create chances for the team.”

Provisional Kilmarnock squad: Bell, Nelson, Hay, Fowler, Gordon, Racchi, Shiels, Dayton, Silva, Kelly, Johnson, Heffernan, Letheren, Kroca, Van Tornhout, Toshney, Fisher, Kennedy.