Kirkland hoping for July return

It was initially thought that the Reds keeper would miss close to twelve months of action through his knee ligament injuries. The news that Kirkland will not require surgery, though, has led the young keeper to believe he could be challenging for a place in the team by the beginning of next season.

Kirkland said: It's good news that surgery isn't required and I'm now hoping to be fit in time for pre-season in July."