Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell expects nothing but the toughest of tests against struggling Aberdeen at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.

While the Ayrshire side are looking to bounce back from back-to-back William Hill Premiership defeats for the first time this season – to leaders Hearts and Rangers – Jimmy Thelin’s side are second bottom of the table, one point ahead of Livingston and with only three wins in 15 games in all competitions.

However, Kettlewell still regards the Dons as “absolutely one of the biggest clubs in the country”.

“There’re a team that have invested very, very heavily in the playing squad,” said the former Motherwell manager, who described defenders Lewis Mayo (calf) and Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin) who came off at Ibrox at half-time on Sunday as “serious doubts”

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