WITH manager Jim Jefferies due to complete discussions with his out-of-contract players by the weekend, it’s expected that there will be a few more players following Alan Mahood out of Rugby Park. The 31-year-old midfielder, with 147 starts and 32 sub appearances, signed for Killie from Morton in 1998, but has been out injured for most of the season, his last appearance being on September 27 last year. Said Jefferies: “At this stage of his career Alan is looking to be playing regularly, not be a squad member, and with Rhian Dodds and Gary McDonald I have cover in midfield.” The manager said this week that he doesn’t have any money in the transfer kitty, so he’ll have to rely on freeing up some money on the wages front before he can bring more players in. His energies are likely to be directed towards strengthening his defence which has leaked far too many goals this season. The four goals against Livingston shot Killie to fourth top scorers in the SPL with a total of 45, but the 70 goals conceded — eight more than relegated Partick Thistle — have been the club’s downfall this season. But if he can get his defence sorted out, the Killie boss is confident that his side will perform much better next season. “While the average age of the squad is lower than it was at this time last year, I feel that if we can improve in the right areas we’ll do OK. “There’s a bit more optimism about than there was earlier in the season, and we can make up for the disappointments of the current season next year in a big way.” That optimism is backed up by a recent home record that shows five wins, a draw and a single goal defeat to champions Celtic in the last seven games. That good record looked in danger up until the start of the second half against Livingston, when a revitalised Killie came out and produced their best display for many a long day. “What was said in the dressing room at half-time was between the players and me, and that will stay there,” said the manager, “but they were told to go out after the break and give the supporters something to look forward to next season.” He explained that Kris Boyd had complained of feeling tired after his midweek exertions with the Scottish under-21 squad, and that was the reason he replaced him at the break with Colin Nish. That gives Jefferies a problem about who to start with at Dens Park on Saturday, and he has problems also with defenders Brian McLaughlin and Gordon Greer injured, and David Lilley serving the last game of a three-match suspension. Craig Dargo is also unavailable with a thigh strain, but Gary Locke is free of suspension and will come into the frame. Three points from Dens, where Killie have already won this season, would set them up nicely for their final home SPL match of the season against Aberdeen next Wednesday. lEric Skora is going to the KFCSA meeting tonight, Thursday, in the Park Suite at 7.30 pm. | 
