Kenny Deuchar will be sent on a goal-scoring mission today as he makes his return to the top flight with Gretna. Davie Irons, the manager, has earmarked a place in the starting lineup for the striker ahead of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Kilmarnock this afternoon.

Deuchar has just returned from a three-month loan spell with St Johnstone, of the Irn-Bru Scottish League first division, during which he netted eight times in 14 games. And Irons will have no hesitation in fielding the practising doctor at Rugby Park.

“He’ll be right back in there,” Irons said. “It would be foolish not to involve him as Fabian Yantorno is suspended and Kenny is the ideal person to fill that gap. He is on form at the moment and has played very well for St Johnstone. We need to score more goals and, hopefully, that’s something that he can add to our side.”

Doctor Deuchar was a key member of Gretna’s squad that climbed from the third division to the Premier League. He scored dozens of goals and smashed club and league records in the process. However, he failed to become a regular feature under the former manager, Rowan Alexander, and submitted a transfer request, which was withdrawn in the summer.

St Johnstone wanted to keep a hold of Deuchar and are likely to try to entice him back during the January transfer window. But, according to Irons, the striker is now looking for forward to being part of Gretna’s survival bid. “Kenny is a popular lad,” Irons said. “He gets on well with everyone and has been at the club for a long time. He is up for the challenge and has said himself that he just wants to play at the top like any other player.

“His contract is up at the end of the season so he knows he is playing to impress, whether that is Gretna or anyone else. When you are playing at the top of your game at the top level you don’t know who is watching you.”