Kilmarnock midfielder Jamie Hamill admits he is playing for his Rugby Park future - even though he still has another 12 months on his deal.

The former Hearts player is set to make his first appearance since Valentine's Day against Hamilton today after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 28-year-old is desperate to reclaim his place before the end of the season, but knows he still has to convince boss Gary Locke of his fitness.

The Killie manager has already warned his 10 out-of-contract players they need to prove they are worthy of a new deal in the final four games of the season.

But even though he has the safety net of a long contract, Hamill feels like he is in the same boat.

He said: "I've got a year left on my deal with the option of another, so hopefully I'll still be here for another couple of years.

"It's been a stop-start season with a few niggly injuries. That was only resolved when I got the op.

"But I'm fit again and ready to stake a claim for a place in the team. I'm also playing for my future, even though I've got a contract.

"I want to stay in the manager's plans for next season but football can be quite fickle sometimes, you just don't know if you are going to be required.

"So you have to play to the best of your ability on the Saturday for the next week or even ahead of the new season.

"You look at players getting paid up and that can be difficult.

"I don't really worry about it too much because my only focus is getting myself back in the manager's plans. But you just never know in football."