Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson has confirmed the Staggies are hoping to bolster their defensive options ahead of Saturday’s Championship trip to Queen of the South.
County have been left with a shortage of defenders for the trip to Palmerston, with skipper Marcus Fraser suspended following his red card in Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Morton, while Callum Morris is also awaiting a scan after limping off with an injury linked to the knee problem which kept him out for a month.
With Liam Fontaine and Sean Kelly also sidelined with long-term injuries, Ferguson insists the Dingwall men need cover at the back.
Ferguson said: “We are looking at that area of the pitch and we have long-term injuries in our defensive unit.
“We’re coming to the stage of the season where we are going to start picking up little suspensions and stuff like that.
“The injuries we have had have been difficult to deal with but it’s part of football.
“With the transfer window being open, we are definitely looking to see if we can strengthen in that area of the pitch.
“We want to offer some support to the existing guys that are fit and playing.
“Stuart Kettlewell and I are actively doing that, so we need to make sure whoever we bring in complements the group and brings something to the table.
“When that player becomes available, Stuart and I will certainly look to do something.”
Ferguson also confirmed Iain Vigurs will face six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a cracked bone in his foot during his recovery from a similar injury last month in a further blow to the Staggies, however County remain hopeful Don Cowie will be fit after going off with a hamstring injury against Morton.
County yesterday confirmed midfielder Russell Dingwall will spend the rest of the season on loan with League 1 side Stenhousemuir, while the Staggies are awaiting news on whether Raith Rovers will pursue their interest in his brother Tony Dingwall, who trained with the Kirkcaldy club last week after being told he was free to leave Victoria Park.
Ferguson added: “Russell is going to Stenhousemuir on loan until the end of the season.
“It will be good for Russell. He has played enough reserve games and development football, but he needs to go out now.
“He had a good six months with Forfar last year, so if he can go and replicate that I’m sure he will enjoy it and we will see where it takes him from there.
“Tony was down training at Raith Rovers last week and there seems to be an interest there, but there’s nothing rubber stamped.”