Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies is hopeful he can keep hold of top-scorer Kevin Kyle.
Jefferies hopes to fend off potential offers for frontman
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies has admitted he is keen to keep hold of top-scorer Kevin Kyle.
The big forward has revived his career at Rugby Park and the club have now opened contract negotiations with the striker.
Kyle has bagged seven goals in all competitions and Jefferies fears the 28-year-old could make a return back south of the border after re-establishing himself in Scottish football.
The Scotland international's fortunes looked to be in decline after being released by Coventry in January, only to be rescued by Jefferies who has overseen his return to the international set-up.
Killie are hoping to fend off any potential interest and tie up a deal that will keep him at the club beyond the end of the season.
"We are trying to extend Kevin's deal," Jefferies told the
Daily Record. "We have approached him and it is up to him.
Dilemma
"When we brought him here I said we'd give him a platform to impress and get his career back on track. I said he could get back into the Scotland set-up and I know he harbours ambitions to get back to England.
"The first part has happened. Now we'll soon find out if anyone in England is interested. We are hoping that doesn't happen and he stays at Kilmarnock."
But having seen the likes of Kris Boyd, Steven Naismith and Colin Nish leave the club, Jefferies is all too aware of the realities of a big money offer for star players.
He added: "I don't want him to go but I know what will happen if the club gets an offer it can't turn down. That might be something we have to live with.
"I don't get the impression the board wants to lose him. But he's out of contract at the end of the season and that's the dilemma - do they keep him and hope he can help us stay in the Premier League, or do they cash in?
"We haven't had any interest in him but after every game the opposition managers always talk about the threat he carries. He does a great job and is a handful for every defender he faces."
Six-pointer
The Ayrshire club are struggling near the bottom of the Scottish Premier League and are kept off 12th place only by Falkirk.
Jefferies' side have lost four of their last six, but Kyle was on target to snatch a vital winner over fellow strugglers St Johnstone.
They followed that up with a useful away point at Hibernian, who are pushing Celtic and Rangers for the title.
Kilmarnock face Falkirk next in a relegation six-pointer at Rugby Park, although Jefferies insists his side should be looking up rather than down.
"It's not about getting away from Falkirk, it's about trying to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season," he said. "I still think there is a good chance of the top six.
"If Hibs win at Pittodrie and we beat Falkirk, we are only two points off sixth place. And with 50-odd points to play for, it's still there for us."
