Lee Clark feels Kilmarnock can help Conor Sammon flourish again after taking the striker back to Rugby Park at the second time of asking.

Sammon joined Killie on loan from Hearts six months after Clark failed to lure him back to Ayrshire.

The Irishman, who left Kilmarnock for then Premier League side Wigan in a big-money deal six years ago, scored twice in 26 games for Hearts and was deemed surplus to requirements by new Tynecastle head coach Ian Cathro.

But Clark feels the welcoming environment will bring out the best in the 30-year-old, whose 18 goals in 27 Killie appearances during the 2010-11 season represented the most fruitful period of his career.

Kilmarnock boss Clark said: "He was on my wish list in the summer. He decided to go to Hearts but we got him eventually.

"We believe we can get him flourishing again in terms of goals. I have always admired his work ethic, his attitude and application.

"That fits in with what we are trying to create in terms of a high-tempo game and we feel he will come and score plenty of goals.

"The fact he is extremely popular with the supporters was a big factor in the move as well. They are getting one of their old heroes back and hopefully we can rekindle those days he had."

Clark also signed 19-year-old Charlton forward Josh Umerah on Tuesday to help compensate for the loss of top goalscorer Souleymane Coulibaly, who joined Egyptian side Al Ahly in a £750,000 move.

"It was always my aim to get more competition in the striking areas," he said. "If Souleymane hadn't have left, I would have wanted one, and Souleymane left so I wanted two and we have got two very good signings in.

"Young Joshua is a bit of an unknown to people outside of us but we have monitored him and watched him on numerous occasions playing for Charlton.

"He has a good goal record in their development team and their manager (Karl Robinson) rates him highly, and previous players I've had, Josh Magennis and Lee Novak, spoke very highly of him."

Clark has had another busy transfer window, bringing in seven new players, including five on loan, after signing 17 earlier in the season, nine of whom have already left.

The former Newcastle midfielder defended the short-term nature of some of his dealings.

Clark said: "It's not ideal, of course, I totally agree with that. But when you are in the market we are, we certainly couldn't touch four of the (five loan players') salaries they are earning elsewhere.

"In an ideal world I would like every member of my first-team squad to be permanent signings so you are not having a summer like we had last summer and having to replace the loan lads.

"But that's the reality of where we are so I have to act accordingly and get the best players I possibly can within those constraints."