KILMARNOCK are facing a defensive crisis ahead of their visit to Paisley on Saturday to play St Mirren.

Czech defender Zdenek Kroca is definitely out and will see a specialist after sustaining a knee injury in the win over Motherwell and there are also fitness doubts over Michael Nelson and Momo Sissoko.

With Manuel Pascali and Ryan O'Leary long-term injury victims, manager Kenny Shiels is limited for options at the heart of his defence while there are also fitness doubts over goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Shiels is hoping Nelson and Sissoko will be okay but admits his central defence options are being stretched.

"We're toiling in central defence because of injuries," said Shiels. "We'll just need to keep our fingers crossed that some of them will make it."