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Lochlin Highet

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes offers transfer update ahead of pre-season Spain trip

Derek McInnes insists there's still work to do ahead of a Scottish Premiership return.

Kilmarnock head to Estepona in Spain on Sunday for six days, and although the Rugby Park boss says it "very unlikely" any additional signings will join them, he is still confident he will have a side ready for the top flight.

Alan Power, Kerr McInroy, Zach Hemming and Lewis Mayo have been added to the Ayrshire side's ranks, and the boss still has plans of where to improve, but insists they remain patient rather than taking players "for the sake of it".

He said: “I’ve brought in Alan, Kerr, Zach and Lewis. Zach is a boy we knew from before. A brilliant addition to us after last season.

“When I joined last season, I thought I had two good goalkeepers in Zach and Sam Walker and I’m delighted to get him back.

The Kilmarnock squad during a Kilmarnock pre-season training session (SNS Group)

“We’ve identified specific positions we’d like to try and improve and I think it is important for us and any manager in any given season to try and improve the starting eleven.

“We probably have a wee bit more work to do in that sense. We have a good squad and a great work ethic.

“I am really enjoying working with the players, but we need to make sure we are as equipped as we can be to meet the demand that will be on us.

“The budget that has been afforded to me I need to try and use it wisely.

“I want to try and get the best starting XI on the pitch, and the best squad possible. I am confident we will do that.

“Very few managers get everything they want, but the club have been very supportive in helping with what we’re trying to do.

“We’ve managed to get staff, equipment and resources in that’ll help us become stronger again.

“I am confident we will do well in the coming season, how well we will do depends on the last few bits of recruitment I would imagine, but I am looking forward to it nonetheless.”

McInnes added: “I think it would be unlikely, but you never know.

“We are still actively trying to strengthen the squad in certain areas.

“It’s still early on in a sense. We have a lot of out of contract players that are getting thrown at you and it’s important we try and hold our nerve and not just take players for the sake of it.

“When the English clubs go back as well, things will start to move. Players will move on and, maybe, look at one or two in the loan market from down south as well.

“But English clubs are not even back yet."

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