Kilmarnock send Dom Thomas to Dunfermline after Greg Kiltie recall

Image source, SNS

Image caption, Dom Thomas (centre) has scored twice for Kilmarnock this season

Kilmarnock have sent winger Dom Thomas to Dunfermline Athletic on loan 24 hours after recalling Greg Kiltie from the Scottish Championship club.

Thomas signed a new contract until summer 2021 with the Premiership outfit in September and played 24 times in the first half of the season.

The 23-year-old has only been in the starting XI four times, but the Pars' manager is enthused by his arrival.

"His best years are ahead of him," Stevie Crawford told his club website.

"He comes here hungry, like Greg was, in terms of wanting to do well. If he does well for us, there is the possibility of him going back to force his way into Kilmarnock's plans in the summer.

"What is good for us is, at 23 years of age, Dom has experience of Championship football."

Thomas scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for Dumbarton in League One last season, having previously been on loan to Queen of the South in the Championship.

Dunfermline have been left short in midfield after Hearts' recall of Anthony McDonald and Harry Cochrane was followed by Kilmarnock's decision to cut short Kiltie's season-long loan after Alex Dyer was appointed to succeed Angelo Alessio as manager.

Head of football operations James Fowler told Kilmarnock's website: "He's coming back to work hard, impress the manager and show what he can do."

Kiltie, whose career has been stalled by injuries and had previous loan spells with Queen of the South and Greenock Morton, made four Killie appearances as a substitute in the summer before three goals in 16 games as Dunfermline struggled in mid-table.

"He's been able to get some good game time under his belt, which is what we were keen to get him," Fowler added.

"I've watched him a few times at Dunfermline and so many of his performances have been positive."