Derek McInnes has provided an update on Gary Mackay-Steven and Lewis Strapp's situations at Kilmarnock.
The pair - who have been without clubs since leaving Hearts and Morton respectively in the summer - have been training with the Ayrshire side for over a month.
Mackay-Steven's predicament has previously been publicly discussed by the Killie boss, but it seems it's the first time he's gone on the record about Strapp.
Both started as trialists during Killie's 2-1 loss in the Reserve Cup to Ayr United.
McInnes insists there's no news concerning contracts at this stage, but suggested a deal for Mackay-Steven is more likely than Strapp with the club well-stocked in the left-back area.
"With both lads, it's really just favours to them," he told the media. "They've been training with us for four or five weeks.
"Gary is a boy I know a lot more of than Lewis, but Lewis has impressed, he's done really well with us. It's not an area of the team we're looking to try to add to, and he knows that. But if we can help him get fit and help him find his next club then great.
"Gary is slowly getting back to where he wants to get to from a long-term injury. Getting a bit of game time in an 11 vs 11 proper match was good for him being part of that.
"He's one that we'll continue to have conversations with and see what the next step is with that."
This weekend's game against Hearts will mark the 52-year-old's 700th competitive game as a manager.
It's a milestone McInnes is delighted to reach, as he detailed the secret behind his prolonged career in the dugout.
He added: “I’m actually quite proud of that longevity. I think it’s important for any manager – whether you’re starting out or it’s your 700th game – that you really want to do it. The fire is still lit: I’ve got to 700 games and I still feel relatively young with a lot more to give. Here’s to many more.
“I think working with good people is an important thing. We all work for clubs, but you actually work for the people within the club. I think, in the majority of cases, any time a manager is successful is because the people above them have a connection and there’s synergy. You want to work for good people, and that is the case.
“Working with enthusiasm and aiming to improve is important for any manager. Some days are more difficult than others, and some periods are more difficult than others, so you’ve got to remind yourself that you really want to do the job.”
