Luke Hendrie insists the Kilmarnock squad are ready for a top six push after a refreshing winter break.
The Rugby Park players were off last week but were back in on Monday as they set about preparing for next week’s Scottish Cup return against Hamilton Accies.
Hendrie extended his stay at Killie on Friday, meaning he’ll reamin on loan from Burnley until the end of the season.
And he insists he’s loved his time in Ayrshire so far. Hendrie said: “I’m delighted to be staying at the club, it has been really good so far. It helps that I’ve played every game bar one so far.
“I’d say this has been the best loan deal I’ve had so far. I’ve gained good experience.”
Lee Clark had his players completing gruelling pre-season-like double sessions this week as he gets them back on the straight and narrow after a horror run in the league that leaves the club without a win in six.
But Hendrie says the players feel ready to get out of their current rut when they return to action, after they had time to take a mid-season breather.
The Kilmarnock Standard columnist added: “I had a good break while I re-charged the batteries a bit. The manager stressed how important it was to take the time to rest.
“Now we’re back in working and getting ready for a push in the second half of the season.
“It has been like a mini pre-season for us. It was good to get a break, I think all the boys needed it just to get our heads right.”
Clark has bolstered his squad this week with the arrival of Fred Woodman, Sean Longstaff and Cal Roberts adding clout to the Rugby Park ranks.
The Killie boss revealed how he’d sold the club to the Toon three by showing them the kind of stadiums they could play at in Scotland.
And Hendrie revealed Clark used a similar tactic when recruiting him.
He said: “I’ve gained loads of experience from playing at places like Ibrox and Parkhead, stadiums that are known worldwide.
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“I sit next to Fred Woodman in the changing room and we were discussing that point the other day. In League One and League Two down south you play in pretty small stadiums most of the time.
“But up here everywhere you go has a decent stadium and it is great for the experience.
“I certainly think it’ll help when I go back to Burnley at the end of the season.”