Rangers paying Defoe £35k per week? That's what we pay entire Kilmarnock squad!

Steve Clarke has highlighted the financial disparity between Kilmarnock and Rangers - by claiming his entire squad budget is the same as Jermain Defoe's reputed weekly wage from the Ibrox club.

Striker Defoe is in line to make his Premiership debut for Steven Gerrard's side at Rugby Park on Wednesday night after arriving on an 18-month loan from Bournemouth. Reports have claimed Rangers are paying £35,000 per week towards his £90,000 weekly earnings at the English Premier League outfit.

Clarke's side go into the game just a point behind their second-placed visitors, who have further strengthened with the loan return of midfielder Steven Davis, while Matt Polster is also set to be added to Gerrard's squad this week after the American headed back to Scotland to finalise his deal following a successful trial.

Sportsmail understands contract terms have been agreed with the 25-year-old, who can play in midfield or at right-back, subject to a medical and international clearance.

But Killie boss Clarke says the monetary gulf laid bare by Defoe's signing demonstrates how well Killie are performing in the Premiership.

'If the figures are to be believed of £35,000, if that is the case and they are paying that for Jermain Defoe, that is the budget that I have got for my entire squad, per week,' said Clarke.

'I think the fact Rangers can bring in Defoe puts in context how much we are punching above our weight. It has always been that way that the bigger clubs had more money to spend.

'But we have assembled a group of players who have shown they can be competitive, no matter the budget. We are not the only team who do it.

'St Johnstone, Motherwell and other clubs have too.' Defoe could link up with Alfredo Morelos in a potent-looking Rangers attack.. The Colombian striker scored a hat-trick on his last visit to Ayrshire in August, but Clarke has warned his defenders not to be drawn into any unnecessary confrontations.

Morelos avoided retrospective action for a number of incidents in last month's Old Firm victory and Clarke wants to make sure Killie's players keep their cool.

'Defoe and Morelos up front will be an interesting combination,' he said. 'Recent games and incidents have shown Morelos can handle himself. My players need to be careful.' Rangers further flexed their financial muscle by raiding Rugby Park to sign winger Jordan Jones on a four-year pre-contract earlier this month.

The Northern Ireland international has since stressed his commitment to Kilmarnock for the remainder of this season and Clarke has no qualms about him facing his future employers.

'If Jordan is fit and ready to go and I want to use him, that's what I will do,' said Clarke. 'He has sorted his future out, which is good for him.

'I have never had an issue with his mental preparation.'