Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell says his players know where they stand in the Rugby Park squad

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell has adopted an honest and clear approach to his players over their anticipated roles as he continues to mould his squad ahead of the transfer deadline.

Kettlewell has already overseen a substantial transformation of the squad since succeeding Derek McInnes with 12 new arrivals.

“We’re still active, is the best way I can put it,” said the former Motherwell manager, whose team host Dundee in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday.

“We would potentially foresee one or two in, and there’s the prospect of one or two going out as well. All of this is to try and get a balance within the squad.

“There will be players sitting there that want to play, there will be guys that are desperate to make sure that they’re selected as the first name on the teamsheet every single week.

“So, as always as managers, you have to try and balance that off and make sure that you’ve got a bit of harmony in your group, and people understand what their place is and where you see them, and I think I’ve been very, very clear with the squad in general.”

Some key players under McInnes have had lesser roles so far this season. Forward Marley Watkins has only started once in seven matches while goalkeeper Robby McCrorie cannot get a place on the bench.

Kettlewell said: “I always try and make sure that everybody understands what their role is and how I see them at the football club, what the opportunities will be.

“Because if I try and kid people on and try and spin a story and give them a wee bit of false hope or tell them that they’re absolutely going to be the first name on the teamsheet, and that’s not quite the case, I think you’re going to encounter problems.

“It’s safe to say that I understand what I would like to do in the next few days or the next week or so and that’s always been in line with the messaging with the players.

“If you put that clarity on things, then you tend to have that wee bit more harmony in your dressing room and you have that wee bit more togetherness. Everybody knows where they stand.”

Kettlewell has a couple of injury doubts ahead of Saturday, including Djenairo Daniels, who went off with a shoulder injury during last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United.

“We’re hopeful he’s got a chance for the weekend,” Kettlewell said. “That’s not guaranteed, because he’s one of the ones that hasn’t trained, but we’re hopeful that he might have a chance to be involved, whether that’s to start, whether that’s to be on the bench.”