Jim Jefferies looking for Killie hitman

Jul 25 2008

KILLIE boss Jim Jefferies has his eye on another Irish hitman after Peter Thompson slipped through the net.

The latest target is Derry striker Conor Sammon from Eircom side Derry County.

The 6ft 2ins 21-year-old only moved to Derry from UCD last December, and has scored seven goals in 20 appearances.

Said an Irish source: "Conor still has a few rough edges in his game, but he’s a big strong lad who should develop into a top class striker."

Sammon has a scoring rate of one goal every four games in his senior career, and earned his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland under-21s for a qualifying game against Portugal last September.

He was also nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the year, but lost out to Mark Quigley of St Patrick's Athletic.

No-one at Rugby Park was prepared to comment on the speculation, although our information is that the two clubs are trying to agree a fee to allow Sammon to cross the Irish Sea.

Meanwhile, Killie continued their run of pre-season warm-up games on Monday night when a team consisting mainly of youngsters drew 1-1 away to Alloa.

Promising young forward Scott Anson was on the scoresheet for the Rugby Park side.

The preparations continued against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Wednesday night.

Things will get much tougher for Jefferies' side from Saturday onwards when they play the first of three games at Rugby Park against English Championship sides.

Saturday sees them in action against Mick McCarthy's Wolves side in a match that kicks off at 2pm.

On Tuesday, they'll take on Queens Park Rangers with a 7.45pm kick off, and a week on Saturday, Coventry City provide the opposition in a match that gets under way at 3pm.

Admission to all these matches is £10 and £5 concessions.

Jim said: “We’ll try and shape the team up for the first game of the season, using these quality friendlies.

“Everybody starts level, and if you go out and perform at the pre-season training and the games, you’re playing for a starting place in the first game of the season.

“If you do get the jersey on the opening day, make sure you play well to keep it.”