Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Slew has been linked with a return to Ross County this summer.
Sources in England claim the Staggies have renewed their interest in bringing the former England under-19 international back to Victoria Park.
The 21-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Scottish Premiership club, has been told he is free to find a new club by the English Championship side.
Slew was transfer listed along with David Goodwillie, Alex Marrow, DJ Campbell, Leon Best and Dickson Etuhu by Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer.
Slew is in the final year of the four year deal he signed following his £1.1million move to Ewood Park from Sheffield United on transfer deadline day in August 2011, but has played just twice for the first team, both from the bench under former manager Steve Kean in the 2011-12 season.
County manager Derek Adams, whose side start the new season on August 9 against Scottish Cup holders St Johnstone, claimed finance precluded him from bringing any of the players who spent last season on loan back to Dingwall but Rovers’ willingness to let Slew leave may have changed matters.
Slew scored his only goal for the Staggies in his final appearance, a 3-2 win at Partick Thistle on the last day of the season, and was a popular figure among the Staggies support due to his committed approach and work-rate.
He had hinted at continuing his career in Scotland if the chance arose and said: “I was injured for a long time when I was at Blackburn and coming here and getting the games, I know I have become a better person and a better player.
“The league is very physical, very demanding mentally but enjoyable and I wouldn’t mind coming to play in this league again.”
Adams has already signed two new attackers for next season in Northern Ireland international Liam Boyce from Cliftonville and English forward Jake Jervis, formerly of Portsmouth, while Yoann Arquin is out of contract on January 1, 2015.
Caley Thistle begin their new campaign with a trip to play-off winners Hamilton Accies while League Cup holders Aberdeen host Dundee United at Pittodrie.