Darren Kelly is in his third spell with Derry

The 28-year-old has been on trial with the Scottish Premier League club and will be assessed again on Friday.

Killie manager Jim Jefferies told BBC Sport: "We had a look at him on Tuesday and asked him back on Friday.

"We have not got to the stage of discussing a fee, but we have to decide whether we want him and will give him a decision by the end of the week."

Kelly is in his third spell with Derry, having also been on the books of Shelbourne, Monaghan United, Carlisle United, who bought him for �100,000 in 2002, and Portadown.

Derry manager John Robertson has already signed a direct replacement in anticipation of Kelly's latest departure.

Mark McChrystal has rejoined the Irish club after being released by Partick Thistle.

Jefferies views Kelly as a replacement for Gordon Greer, who left Kilmarnock for family reasons in the summer and joined Doncaster Rovers.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Do you think Darren Kelly would be a good replacement for Gordon Greer?

Family reasons have also led to Kelly's desire for a return to the UK mainland.

And that alerted Kilmarnock, Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Scottish Premier League newcomers Gretna to his availability.

Gretna were not prepared to pay the reported �50,000 fee being demanded by Derry.

Inverness dropped their interest as they would have preferred a loan deal.

Caley Thistle boss Charlie Christie also decided against signing French trialist Giany Joinville as he seeks a replacement for Darren Dods, who moved to Dundee United in the summer.