Jefferies hopes for injury relief April 26 2008
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies is hoping he will not run out of fit players before the season ends in three weeks' time.
Irish defender Tim Clancy became the latest injury casualty when he was carried off on a stretcher in the 16th minute of the 1-1 draw against Gretna with a suspected broken fibula.
Clancy became the ninth Kilmarnock player on the injury list as the club slumped to second-bottom in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Jefferies said: "You can see we were missing far too many key players, guys like Craig Bryson, Allan Johnston and Mehdi Taouil who can open up defences.
"If I'd have a full squad to choose from then I would have been confident of beating Gretna."
Jefferies, who blasted his players for their poor performance against Inverness last week, did not fault the commitment against relegated Gretna.
However he recognised there was no cutting edge.
"We didn't have the creativity to open them up and finish them off," he said.
"The end of the season can't come quickly enough, but we still have work to do to try to finish as high in the league as we can."
Gretna boss Mark Wadsworth paid tribute to his battling side, many of whom could well be looking for new clubs when their season comes to a close on May 17.
Gretna called in the administrators last month and a meeting with creditors has been called for May 8, when fresh light may be shed on the club's future.
"I haven't spoken to anyone from the administration team for more than two weeks now," Wadsworth said, "so anything that anyone knows is more than I know because I know nothing.
"I keep hearing that different people are interested in investing in the club but I honestly don't know what lies ahead."
Wadsworth, whose team have claimed three draws in a row, praised the players for taking their minds off the club's current plight by training hard and concentrating on their football.
They will have a squad night out on Monday, taking the opportunity while they await their fate at the end of the season.
"I would love to carry on with this club," said Wadsworth, "because this group of players are a joy to work with.
"There is talent, spirit and determination and they're a smashing bunch to be involved with.
"It would be a shame if the group was to split up, but I'm pretty sure that it will be necessary to do that."