Jimmy told the Daily Record: "Noel gives us something different in terms of his physical presence and ability to hold the ball up. And if he does get a chance, he will take it. You can see in training just how good he is when it comes to finishing. It's just that he has never been fit enough to show what he can really do. That's why I told the physios here to put him through an intensive training programme so that when he came back he would be 100 per cent ready to play. We can only wait and see how it goes now but if he's anywhere near top quality it will be like having a new striker in the side. He is a likeable rogue and he's great to have around the dressing room but he has the right sort of experience to make a real impact on the team."
This suggests that Jimmy would like to keep Whelan at the club whether he is playing or not, and this could be bad news for fans' favourite Fernando Pasquinelli. Calderwood has previously stated that only one of Noel and Pasques can stay at the club, and the ball now seems to be in Whelan's court. The supporters, of course, just want to see some goals.