Player Profile: 17 - Eric Skora

Notes:  Eric Skora watched Rugby Park rise as one to chant his name - and he can't wait for a repeat. Two years ago the Killie fans showed their gratitude as Skora marked the end of his loan spell with a goal in a 4-0 win over Aberdeen.

As much as he longed to extend his stay the French midfielder knew he had a job to do at Preston, where his contract still had two years to run. But his Deepdale dream turned into a nightmare. His life was torn apart as first wife Aurelle suffered a tragic miscarriage, then he snapped his cruciate ligament in October 2004 and didn't play again that season.

Fifteen months on and life is looking up again. His son Paolo was born on December 17th and last week Preston manager Billy Davies tore up Skora's contract, Finally paving the way for a return to Ayrshire.

Skora, 24, revealed: "I was heartbroken when I left Killie. I'd hoped something would be sorted between the two clubs so I could stay permanently, but it didn't happen and I had to go back to Preston. Deep inside, my heart was always at Killie.

"I played the first 10 or 11 games for Preston then injured my knee and I was out until the end of the season. About 3 weeks before that we had lost our baby and it had all just come together. You can't get lower than that. But me and my wife stayed strong and we have our little boy now and we're happy.

"This season I was never going to get a sniff at Preston for many reasons - one being I wanted to play for Killie and I think Preston figured that out. Other clubs were offering me more money just last week but I turned them down because this isn't about money. I felt a part of the family at Killie and when I was at Preston I'd be disappointed or excited when I heard Killie's results.

"I had a good relationship with the fans and I've never forgotten the reception I got after that last game against Aberdeen when they stood up and cheered me. That was superb and it's why I've come back. Now Paolo can be a Killie boy too and I'm going to buy him the strip as soon as we get there."

Skora was all set to sign a three-and-a-half year deal but last minute worries over his knee have resulted in a six month deal to prove his fitness with an extension pending in the summer.

He added: "Killie were a bit worried about my knee and weren't sure if I could be the same player as before, which is fair enough and I accepted it. And while I'm excited about coming back, the club had changed too and I'm not the same player as two years ago - I've got long hair now !

"Seriously, though, my football has not changed, I've just got older and more experienced. All I'm asking is for the Killie fans to be patient because I've not been playing many games lately and I'll need one or two to get back into it."

It has been a frantic time for Skora after a weekend medical, returning to France to finalise Paolo's passport then saying his farewells at Deepdale. He will drive up to Scotland today - but isn't keen on spending his spell at Rugby Park in the hotel there again.

Skora added: "As much as it's a great hotel I don't want to have to stay there again! We'll get a place of our own and that will be better for the family. And with Paolo around the gaffer can sleep tight because I won't be around the night clubs - well not as often as I used to be anyway!

"Becoming a Dad has been a massive change for me but I'm enjoying it. There are more responsibilities, but at least I'm not as old as Gary Locke!"