Jefferies Tracks Scotland Striker 

From what Kevin Kyle's agent Tony McGill has been saying it looks as if The Rumour Mill was correct that our new manager has show an interest in signing the newly capped Scotland striker. McGill claimed last night though that Sunderland boss Peter Reid was keen to extend the big hitman's current deal which only has a season left to run but he also indicated that an extended loan spell wouldn't be out of the question.

Kyle scored his first international goal in Scotland's 4-0 win over a Hong Kong XI and was generally impressive throughout the tour and his good form has attracted a host of clubs who are interested in his signature, including Killie. Jim Jefferies was recently linked with bringing Chelsea striker Sam Parkin to Rugby Park for a season on loan but now may see Kyle as a viable alternative.

McGill said: "Jim Jefferies has kept tabs on Kevin for some time and is a real admirer of him. Kevin has come on leaps and bounds in the space of a few months and has done well for Scotland. He has impressed a lot of people in the English Premiership and he has scored a lot of goals for the reserves and is on the verge of a first-team breakthrough with Sunderland.

He went on: "This is a massive year for Kevin and there have been more inquiries asking to take Kevin on loan than any other player at the club. Peter Reid rates him highly and clearly sees him as having a big part to play in the future of Sunderland. Reid does not want him to go on loan as he wants him to make a massive impact with Sunderland's first team this season."

"He is a big, strong lad and very much a centre forward in the Niall Quinn mould who, if he plays to his full potential, has good chance of making it. Reid possibly sees Kyle filling the striking void that Niall's absence will create. He is highly thought of by everybody at the club and they all want to see him make it there. With all respect to Kilmarnock, I am sure that he would rather be playing first-team football in the English Premiership.

"The rules state that you cannot go on loan from one Premiership club to another. Kevin was pleased Kilmarnock showed interest in him. If he does go on loan I'm sure the manager would rather he played in the SPL than the Nationwide First Division. That's a possibility that cannot be ruled out if the club give the green light for a loan deal."