Jefferies hopes to keep Naismith for as long as he can

The 19-year-old forward is with the Scotland U21s after spending two days on trial with Arsenal.

And Jefferies told BBC Sport: "He enjoyed himself at Arsenal, he met Arsene Wenger and it's good experience.

"I must stress that nothing was ever agreed with Arsenal. It was just an invitation. One day he'll go but, hopefully, it won't be for a while."

Naismith was voted Young Player of the Year in Scotland last season after scoring 13 goals for Killie.

And Jefferies added: "We're under no pressure to sell him but, at the same time, we would not hold the lad back."