Ross County manager Derek Adams wants midfielder Stuart Kettlewell to prove his fitness before he will offer him a new contract.
The 30-year-old former Clyde and Queen’s Park player has undergone a hip operation and is expected to miss several months while he recuperates.
With the player unlikely to be fit before October Adams has decided not to offer Kettlewell, who made 27 appearances for the club last season, a new contract.
But the County manager insists the club will aid Kettlewell, pictured, who joined the club in 2009, in his recovery and has not ruled out offering a deal once he has recovered.
The Staggies manager said: “The club will be taking care of Stuart’s well-being while he comes through his operation.
“It looks as if he will be out for three months and that’s why he hasn’t been offered a contract.
“We will make sure he recovers and take it from there.”
Former County midfielder Alex Cooper has joined Championship side Falkirk for pre-season training.
The 22-year-old, who was freed by Staggies manager at the end of the season along with his father Neale, who was assistant manager at Victoria Park, has been invited to join the Bairns squad by new Falkirk manager Peter Houston.
Houston has given Cooper a week to prove he is worth a permanent deal at the club.
The new Bairns manager said: “There’s no doubt Alex is a talented player so we’re keen to have a look.”
Cooper was released along with Michael Fraser and Gary Glen at the end of the campaign while Brian McLean has left the club after deciding not to take up the option of a second year on his contract.
Defenders Ben Gordon and Scott Boyd will be playing at Victoria Park next season after signing new one-year deals.