LIVINGSTON striker Leigh Griffiths has given his manager a boost by making a quick recovery from his second knee operation this season and could be available against Dundee on Saturday.
However, boss Roberto Landi, although short on players, is wary of rushing the 18-year-old straight back into the first team and said today he is likely to name him as a substitute.
Landi apologised to fans after his team crashed out of the Scotti
sh Cup, losing 2-1 to East Stirling, but his options had been further limited as key men Rocco Quinn and Calum Elliot, on loan from Celtic and Hearts, did not play because their respective clubs did not want them cup tied.
However, both players had been allowed to play in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup against Celtic.
Landi was particularly upset with Hearts, saying: "I cannot understand Hearts. They are difficult to deal with. We were still not sure whether Calum would be available to play on Friday."
Murray Davidson was another big loss from midfield, and striker Jean Jose Cuenca was selected despite struggling with a calf strain.
Griffiths has scored nine goals this term but his last came against Dunfermline at the end of August when he was averaging one goal a game.
Since then he has undergone operations on first his right, and then his left knee and has played more times for Scotland under-19s than his club.
Landi said: "Leigh's recovery has gone very well, and I think he will be ready to be in the squad against Dundee. But we have to be careful."
The Italian has also revealed that club chairman Angelo Massone is doing all he can to keep Elliot at the club. The striker's loan agreement from Hearts finishes at the end of December.
However, Hearts have announced they wish to sell the striker, although the player has made it plain he wants to stay at Livingston, if an agreement between the two clubs can be reached.
Landi added: "My chairman is trying to secure Calum beyond the current agreement, but it is up to the Hearts boss and ultimately the Hearts owner."
