William Gros would welcome Alexei Eremenko signing

William Gros: 'If Alexei comes back then it would be a big, big, key thing for us'. Picture: SNS

The Finland international is expected to take in Killie’s Scottish Premiership home fixture with Inverness on Saturday as manager Allan Johnston bids to bring him back to Rugby Park.

The 30-year-old playmaker made a huge impression when he spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Kilmarnock and is now a free agent following a spell in Kazakhstan.

Gros said: “I would like to see him back because the first year I played with him and he’s a really, really good player.

“He is one of the best players I have played with. You know if you run, the ball will come to your feet.

“If he comes back then it would be a big, big, key thing for us.”

Johnston hopes to have the loan signing of Brighton defender Vitalijs Maksimenko completed before the visit of Caley Thistle but he has admitted he could be powerless to stop Kris Boyd leaving this month.

Boyd, who has scored 12 goals this season, has been linked with a move to Blackpool to rejoin former Rangers team-mate Barry Ferguson, the Sky Bet Championship club’s new caretaker manager.

Gros said: “Boydy would be a big loss. He is one of the best strikers about.

“I have learned a lot from him. Sometimes it’s not big stuff but things that can change a game.

“It’s about movement, touches, just details that people might think is easy but you can learn from a guy like that.”

Boyd’s form has had a negative side for Gros, who has struggled to make an impact this season. The Frenchman is yet to score from just four starts and seven substitute appearances and he was succinct and frank when asked how his season had gone.

“Bad,” the 21-year-old said. “I have not played a lot of games. It’s hard to start a game but I need to keep my head down and keep working hard.

“If I get a chance I need to show them what I can do and earn their trust.”