Gary Locke insists tomorrow'sTannadice showdown is just as important for his Kilmarnock team as it is for Dundee United as he vowed to chase three points on Tayside.

United are aiming to claw back a 14-point deficit on second-bottom Killie to give their Ladbrokes Premiership survival chances a badly-needed lifeline.

But the Ayrshire side are unbeaten in 2016 and want to start moving up the table rather than settling for keeping the gap as it is.

"It's a huge game for us as well," Locke said. "Every game is huge. Just because it's the two teams at the bottom end of the league, it doesn't make this game any bigger for us.

"We treat it like any other game, we will go there to win the game. We will set up the team to cause them problems. It's a game both of us are desperate to win for different reasons. We want to move up the league. I never set up my team to try and draw a game."

Locke, whose team have beaten St Johnstone and Inverness in their last two games, added: "We have been happy with our recent form but we are still a million miles away from where we want to be.

"We've got to make sure we keep applying ourselves like we have done since the turn of the year."

Meanwhile Locke is working on potential transfer targets but would need to offload a player to bring another in.

A loan signing looks the more likely route and Locke has been linked with moves for the likes of Sheffield United defender Kieron Freeman and Crystal Palace striker Sullay Kaikai.

"I don't like to speak about any other team's players until we sign them," he said. "We are looking at one or two players, some of them have been on the mark and some haven't been.

"We're working hard behind the scenes.

"When you look at our league position, I do feel we need to strengthen the squad. But we have to balance the books as well. I'm aware that I've got to try and move one or two players, even if it's on loan, to get other players in.

"I'd rather work with my own players but if we can get a loan player in that would strengthen the team, it would be ridiculous not to go down that avenue."