MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 17:06:54| >> :600:4182527:4182527:

Kilmarnock to enter free agent market for defensive reinforcements?

Kilmarnock to enter free agent market for defensive reinforcements?
© Reuters
Killie are down to just one fit centre-back.

Kilmarnock manager Angelo Alessio is trying to find an available free agent to solve his defensive crisis.

Alex Bruce hobbled off with a hamstring strain in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hamilton while Stuart Findlay and Connor Johnson were already on the sidelines.

That leaves Dario Del Fabro as Kilmarnock's only fit central defender, with Findlay not likely to return until after the winter break.

Midfielder Gary Dicker again filled in at the back on Saturday but Alessio said he would prefer to see what else was out there rather than using Dicker as a long-term solution.

He said: "I don't know if there's someone free. Findlay won't be back until January or February. We have a lot of games. I don't know if Connor Johnson can come back into the squad.

"Bruce is now out and we have a lot of games. If someone is free then we will try for them but it is difficult. I might have to try another solution.

"It could be we ask a midfielder to play at centre-back. I don't want that solution for many reasons but I might have to do that."

Mickel Miller lashed in a shot from around 30 yards before Steve Davies added a second, again from outside the box, as Hamilton made a fine start.

But the Accies had Sam Stubbs sent off after 29 minutes and then conceded goals to Mohamed El Makrini and Eamonn Brophy.

Hamilton boss Brian Rice admitted he was surprised by the quality of Miller's strike.

He said: "We scored two very good goals. Steve Davies is the best finisher at the club. It didn't surprise me when his shot went in.

"I was a wee bit more surprised at Mickel's as I've not seen that from him. He's had a hard time with injuries. But he's fought back and is now at a level where he's training every day.

"That's the hardest I've ever seen him work today. He knows he has to put a shift in to stay in the team.

"No disrespect to my players but they're not the best in the league. So they need to compensate otherwise. We make up for that by playing as a team."

ID:378542: cacheID:378542:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3847:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brian Rice pictured at Hibs in 2009
Read Next:
Brian Rice happy to take point home from Kilmarnock
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1FalkirkFalkirk17122333141938
2Livingston17106124101436
3Ayr UnitedAyr1794428171131
4Partick ThistlePartick167541811726
5Queen's ParkQueen's Park177461918125
6Hamilton AcademicalHamilton165382329-618
7Raith Rovers165381521-618
8Greenock MortonMorton163761321-816
9Dunfermline AthleticDunfermline1743101420-615
10AirdrieoniansAirdrieonians171313834-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!