TAM O'WARE has returned to Kelty Hearts just three months after it was announced he was taking up a coaching position with another SPFL club.

The 30-year-old, who hadn't played since late September, was named in the starting line-up for Saturday's defeat at home to Cove Rangers.

Experienced centre back O'Ware, who first moved to New Central Park in the summer of 2021 after leaving Partick Thistle, last played for the club in a match with Queen of the South, in which he picked up an injury.

He had been combining his playing role with Kelty by leading 'Young Queen's Park' as head coach and, in December, took up the opportunity of an interim coaching role with the latter's first team.

That rose after Paul Nuijten was appointed as the Spiders' interim head coach, after the departure of Robin Veldman, but the Championship side subsequently appointed former St Johnstone double-winning boss, Callum Davidson, as their new permanent head coach in early January, with Liam Craig joining him as his assistant.

Explaining O'Ware's return, player / manager, Michael Tidser, told Kelty Hearts TV: "It's one of those ones where, when Tam left to go to Queen's Park as interim coach with the first team, the door was always open for him.

"In the last few weeks, we've been in regular contact and, listen, I know Tam. I know him inside out. I've played with him for loads of years, and he's a real leader.

"Obviously, at the start of the season, he got his injury and I think that's his first game in six months, but I think you could see yourself if you were watching the game that he was outstanding today.

"That's what I expect from him. I said to him now it's just about time to recover, look after your body, and go again for the next seven, eight games."