SPITT AND STARDUST

Blair plans to keep shining for Jambos so he can hold on to his place when crocked stars return to the fold

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BLAIR SPITTAL is thrilled the Hearts cavalry is crawling off the treatment table but has warned comeback stars he's in no mood to step aside.

The Jambos midfielder has needed to be patient this term, waiting for his chance to get a run in the side.

But with injuries racking up, the playmaker has pounced to help fire Derek McInnes' side to back-to-back wins against Falkirk and Aberdeen in the Premiership title race.

Oisin McEntee is back to face Killie tonight with Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland pencilled in for Dundee's visit next week while Stephen Kingsley and Stuart Findlay are not far behind.

Spittal said: "When you're not playing you have to just make sure you're ready for when the opportunity comes. It has been a wee bit frustrating but you can't complain when the boys are going out and winning games.

"It's up to the group behind that to make sure we keep our standards high and make sure toes. They manage to take your mind off things, which is good.

"Obviously when you're on a bit of a run [of form], it's a bit frustrating in terms of you want to keep the momentum going. But it's given us a chance to get boys closer to being back fit as well, so the competition's good in the squad and we've had a couple of good weeks' training.

"You want that pressure. Going into games, especially at this time of the season, you'd rather be playing for something than not, so it's up to us to keep a level head and keep the mindset really strong in the changing room.