Steve Clarke expects Mulumbu summer exit

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke believes his side will have to cope with losing Youssouf Mulumbu this summer.

The Rugby Park boss has handed out three new contracts this week, with Rory McKenzie, Greg Kiltie and Alan Power all signing up until 2020.

However there has been no new deal for former West Brom ace Mulumbu, with his current agreement set to expire at the end of the campaign.

The DR Congo international suffered an injury-ravaged spell at Norwich, but has turned his career around in Ayrshire.

But despite rediscovering his best form under Clarke, the Killie manager is not convinced that will be enough to stave off big-spending suitors from down south come the summer.

"I wouldn't say I was over-confident of keeping Youssouf,'' said Clarke ahead of Saturday's visit of Hamilton.

"He came up here to put himself back in the shop window and I think he's done that with his performances.

"That's been great for Youssouf and it's been great for Kilmarnock. I said to the supporters that they just had to enjoy him while he was here.

"And I imagine a bigger club will come in for Youssouf in the summer as he's a free transfer if that happens, we wish him well.

"If that doesn't materialise and he wants to stay here, he knows all he has to do is chap my door.''

Gary Dicker and Stuart Findlay could become the next players to extend their Rugby Park stays next week while the futures of out-of-contract first-teamers Gordon Greer, Chris Burke, Scott Boyd and Leo Fasan have also still to be resolved.

But having confirmed a place in the top six with victory over Rangers last time out, Clarke wants to get those matters tied up quickly so he can focus on finding fresh faces for next season.

"The club has used the international break wisely to sit down and discuss contract situations with a lot of players that deserved a new contract and that their deals were up,'' he said.

"We're trying to build something here and so we're trying to keep a bit of continuity.

"The more players we can sign up before the summer the better as it gives us an idea of what we'll need in the summer and what we won't need.

"I'd like to go into the summer with the nucleus of the squad already in place, which means that come that time we can be a bit more selective with who we bring in and not find ourselves in a mad rush trying to sign 10 or 11 players.

"If we have the majority of guys in place it means we only need to bring in three or four who can add that bit of quality.

"The players this year have done very well for us so we're delighted to get those three players tied up and we're working on other contracts as we speak.'

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