Derek McInnes has revealed Kyle Lafferty has been doing everything he can to catch his eye and force his way back into the team to face Celtic this weekend - including star jumps outside his office.
Lafferty hasn't played since October due to a ten game ban imposed by the SFA after a clip went viral appearing to show him using sectarian language. The governing body found the Kilmarnock striker violated two rules and he's been sidelined since with the ban even extending to B-team matches. McInnes says he's been keeping fit though and he served the last game on his ban against Celtic in the league at the weekend.
He could make his return to action at Hampden and McInnes said: "He was doing star jumps outside my office this morning and brought me breakfast! I know how much he wants to play, all my players want to play.
"He's bursting to get involved. It's been torture for him missing out. For any player, you can accept and have to deal with it if you're missing for months with injury, but Kyle hasn't been injured. He's been fit and running about in training.
"He's been really supportive, except from Celtic Park on Saturday he's been at all the games supporting the team. He's had a big role to play in the dressing room but we just need him now to have a big role on the pitch between now and the end of the season.
"I've got a strong squad, I've got good options, so it's going to be tough leaving certain players out. But everyone's bursting to play, Kyle included."
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