Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies has defensive concerns to contend with ahead of his side's trip to face Hearts at Tynecastle this weekend.Jefferies has injury doubts over central defensive pair Simon Ford and Ryan O'Leary.

Ford limped off at half-time with a hamstring problem during last weekend's defeat to St Mirren and Scotland Under-21 star O'Leary suffered an ankle injury in training.

Jefferies said: "Simon had to come off last week at half-time but he trained this morning and we'll wait and see if there is any reaction.

"I didn't think he had any chance earlier this week but he's responded to treatment.

"Ryan O'Leary has gone over on his ankle in training. He would have been the natural replacement if Simon missed out but we'll need to wait and see how he is.

"There was no-one near him and he just went over on his ankle."

Kilmarnock have endured a series of injury problems this season and Jefferies hopes they enjoy better luck next year.

He said: "You can't keep going on about injuries but it is fact. On top of losing good players we've had key ones injured all the time. Even fringe players have been injured.

"So it's just a season we need to write off and hope we get a break next season and not run up the same amount of injuries.

"It's been a bad season for us and we know why, but we'll put that right over the summer by making changes and the players will get a lift from that.

"We'll get this season over and done with, regroup, learn the lessons from it and come back stronger."

Killie face Hearts this Saturday and Jefferies is surprised his former side are in the bottom six.

He said: "If you look at the quality of players Hearts have got - (caretaker boss) Stevie Frail has admitted they've underachieved this year considering what they've done in the last couple of years.

"It shows that in a tight league like this, apart from Rangers and Celtic, there are no guarantees."

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