Jim Jefferies believes Kevin Kyle can be a huge hit this season after the Kilmarnock striker shrugged off a pre-season injury to score a stunning double in the 3-0 home win over Hamilton.

Manager Jefferies was delighted to see his gamble in fielding the striker pay off, as captain Kyle volleyed home an impressive opener in the first half and then topped that with a spectacular strike from outside the penalty area minutes after the interval.

"Kevin did all the hard work in Italy [at the club's pre-season training camp] but has had no games for us, and if he can do that from scratch then he's probably going to get more," said Jefferies.

"The second goal was a stunner, but he's capable of doing that and he showed last season what he can do with the right ball and build-up play - we took a wee gamble in playing him, and it paid off.

"When we last got into the top six, we had somebody who scored 19 goals for us, so if Kevin's going to get 19 or 20 then we'll be in with a good chance of doing that.

"Hamilton had changes in their team and a couple of players out through suspension so we had to take advantage of that.

"You know things are going to be a bit rusty to start with but we were always plugging away and I thought we could have been a couple of goals ahead before we were."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid was without six first-team regulars due to injury and suspension, and lost stars James McCarthy and Brian Easton to the Barclays Premier League in the summer.

Reid said: "It's been a test for us, but I saw plenty of positives - Luis Rubiales will be a fantastic player and one or two others showed that they'll be decent additions.

"We're down but we're not disheartened and there's more to come from Hamilton Accies, that I guarantee."