Ross County manager Jim McIntyre has hailed the impact made by attacker Liam Boyce since his restoration to the side, insisting he is the best finisher at the club.
Northern Irishman Boyce initially struggled to hold down a starting place at Victoria Park after joining from part-time Cliftonville in his homeland last summer.
Bottom-placed County face Partick Thistle at Firhill in the Premership tomorrow knowing a victory could pull them level with Motherwell and St Mirren if both sides lose.
Having netted four times from the bench this season, Boyce, who joined Werder Bremen II when he first left Cliftonville in 2010, has started his side’s last three matches and, although he hasn’t found the scoresheet, McIntyre says he is confident the 23-year-old can lead the line in the Staggies’ push for survival.
McIntyre said: “Since Liam’s come into the team, he’s done well and long may that continue. He’s doing a great shift for the team, he’s a goal threat and that’s what we’re looking for from our forward.
“I would say he is the best finisher at the club.
“That’s not being disrespectful to the other players but Boyce is a natural goalscorer.
“We’ve got a number of good attackers and there could be a partnership with any one of them.
“Winning matches is key to confidence and in Liam’s case he’s been doing a lot of things really well, so we’ve got a player right now who is confident.”
Another two players who could work their way into first-team contention are midfielder Rocco Quinn and defender Ben Frempah, who are both closing in on a return to full training.
Quinn has been sidelined since October with a hip injury, while an ankle injury has kept out teenager Frempah since December. McIntyre hopes to have both available soon.
He added: “They are where they should be. Rocco has joined in training with the group – he’s not doing full training but he’s not far off that at all.
“Ben’s maybe a week or two behind Rocco, he’s still doing fitness work with the physio. He’s not ready to join in with the group yet but won’t be far away.
“It’ll be great to get the two of them back. Having each other to help them get through it helps when they’re doing their rehab.”
McIntyre says he would have no hesitation about including Ivorian defender Abdoulaye Meite, who joined County last week, despite the 34-year-old continuing to work his way towards full match fitness.
McIntyre said: “I would have no qualms if he played that he would be able to handle the situation. He’s got that much experience.”