United manager Craig Levein is determined to keep the 26-year-old at Tannadice but accepts it could be difficult as he is out of contract in the summer.

Kerr has been linked with a number of clubs and it is understood that Preston boss Alan Irvine has identified him as one of his top transfer targets.

Aberdeen and Hearts have also been credited with an interest in Kerr, who joined Dundee United from Falkirk in 2003.

"I'm not surprised clubs are interested in Mark," Levein said in the

Daily Record.

"I've spoken to his agent and would obviously like to do something to make him stay with us but it all depends."