91Èȱ¬

Time is running out for Paul McGowan if he wants to commit his future to St Mirren, warns his manager Danny Lennon.

The Buddies boss accepts the playmaker wants to play at a higher level if possible but he needs the 25-year-old to confirm his intentions very soon.

"Paul is a player that we admire. He has done terrifically well for us. I know what his wishes are and we respect that but I can't wait for ever.

"I am not picking up the vibes from the player [that he wants to stay]."

Lennon, speaking after Paul McGowan had helped the team to a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, added: "I want to keep good quality players like Paul.

"I have to have open and honest discussions with the player next week."

While goalkeeper Craig Samson has signed a two-year deal with Kilmarnock, and Graham Carey and Sam Parkin are on their way out of Paisley, Lennon is not giving up hope that Newcastle duo Conor Newton and Paul Dummett will return on loan next term.

The manager said: "It is inevitable that people are going to go that perhaps you are trying to keep, and arguably go on to better things, and there are ones that want to stay that have to go to free up the budget to allow you to bring in one or two new faces.

"We have been working hard [on bringing in new players] from the start of the year.

"We are down the line with two or three and we have targets and back-ups. We can now rebuild the squad for next season.

"I wouldn't rule out the Newcastle lads coming back up. We've got a great rapport with Newcastle. They have come up here and improved.

"St Mirren have built up this reputation over the last couple of years that we have brought players in and improved them.

"It is important that for any player in our care we can squeeze every ounce that we can out of them."

However, Lennon cannot imagine Portuguese striker Jose Goncalves staying at the club.

"I think that one is going to be beyond us," he admitted.

"He gave us that lift at the turn of the year when we needed it. We wish him well and we wish Craig Samson well.

"These players have served our club well and I can't thank them enough."

John McGinn gave St Mirren the lead at Rugby Park before Samson's hesitation allowed Kris Boyd to level for Kenny Shiels' men.

But after the break a McGowan penalty and a Newton solo goal gave the Buddies the points as they finished 11th in the Scottish Premier League table.

"We are delighted," said Lennon. "Over the last four weeks we seem to have lost our way but today we were terrific.

"We asked the players to use this game as preparation for next season."