Jim Jefferies sold Kilmarnock to Kevin Kyle by insisting the towering striker would force his way back into the Scotland set-up if he joined the club.

And Killie boss Jefferies is thrilled is words have rung true as Kyle was on Thursday called up by George Burley for next weekend's friendly in Wales.

Former Sunderland striker Kyle joined Killie in January after parting company with Coventry and has been a revelation for Jefferies' side, bagging 15 goals in just 21 games.

Kyle won the last of his nine caps in a 1-0 defeat to Denmark in April 2004 and Jefferies is delighted he will be given the chance to prove he can cut it on the international stage once again.

Jefferies said: "It's a big lift when you have someone representing their country. When I tried to convince him to come here, I told him if he did well and adapted to the Scottish game then he would be in the eye of the Scotland manager and have a chance of the Scotland squad again.

"It's happened to work out for him that way. It's good when you use that as a selling tool that it comes to fruition. It shows what I said to him meant something and it's been proved by him getting selected."