MARIAN KELLO has given the first indication yet that he may be prepared to extend his stay at St Mirren until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old was a free agent after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer, before being snapped up by Buddies boss Danny Lennon in October until next month.

The Slovakian international had previously starred for Hearts and it was that spell between 2008 until 2012 that had left his name indelibly marked in Lennon's mind.

Now for the first time, after having kept clean sheets in four of his eight games for the Paisley club, Kello has indicated he would be happy to extend his five-month deal until the end of the season.

The Saints No.1 said: "St Mirren is a very good club and I am very happy to be playing in every game for them.

"I respect the manager and he and the players have made it very easy for me to settle in at St Mirren.

"Right now we have had no talks on an extension but I would have no problem to stay here until the end of the season.

"I am enjoying my football and that is very important for me, so we will see what happens in January."

There is no doubt that Kello's arrival has played a key part in the Paisley side's resurgence.

Last weekend's defeat at Aberdeen was the Buddies' first loss in eight games and that has, in no small measure, been down to the new-found solidity at the back since the 31-year-old's arrival.

With Saints having allowed Craig Samson to move on to Kilmarnock in the summer, boss Lennon had taken the relative gamble to go with two largely inexperienced shot-stoppers.

David Cornell, 23, arrived from Swansea, and 19-year-old Christopher Dilo joined from Blackburn but the bold move to go with youth between the sticks encountered turbulence until Kello came to the rescue.

Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Motherwell, Kello has no doubt about the importance of a return to winning ways for the Buddies as the frantic five-game festive card kicks off.

He said: "It was disappointing to have our good run come to an end but now it is vital that we go to Motherwell and get a positive result and try and regain our momentum.

"We are just a point behind Hibs in seventh place and five behind St Johnstone in sixth but there are so many points available over the next two weeks it is vital we regain our consistency."