KILMARNOCK have been left reeling after Ryan O'Leary was ruled out for seven months.

The defender requires an operation after dislocating a shoulder on the opening day of the season in a challenge with Colin Nish.

"It is a blow for Ryan and for us," said Jim Jefferies. "I gave him the nod against Hibs and he was probably one of the first names down in the team-sheet for that game. My difficult choice was who would partner him.

"Ryan will do well to return before the end of the season. He is young enough to come back but it is extremely unfortunate.

"He did a lot of work over the summer so he would be right for the season. Unfortunately, he now has to accept he's had this bad injury, get over it and come back."

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder David Obua believes working with Csaba Laszlo can help him take a step towards the English Premiership.

The 24-year-old turned down an offer for West Ham and Serie A side Chievo to go to Tynecastle.

"I opted to move here because the manager knows me better and he will get the best out of me," he said.

"If I went to West Ham or Chievo it would have taken me a long time to adapt.

"But I'm here, with a coach I know, and it will help me to grow as a player before I go on to something bigger."

Falkirk manager John Hughes has tipped Burton O'Brien to follow in Darren Barr's footsteps and make it into the Scotland squad this season.

"He is good enough to get back into the national set-up," said Hughes.

Elsewhere, former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs has announced his retirement from football after a recurrence of a knee injury.

And ex-Killie and Hibs manager Bobby Williamson has been unveiled as the manager of Uganda.