Oldham Athletic’s Irish central defender Cliff Byrne is training with Ross County with a view to a potential move north.
The 31-year-old from Dublin is being assessed by Staggies manager Derek Adams at Victoria Park after being allowed to go to Dingwall by the English League 1 club.
Adams has room in his budget to make a fifth January transfer window move after stating he wanted to strengthen in defence after last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Partick Thistle.
Oldham manager Lee Johnson said: “Cliff Byrne is going to Scotland for a couple of days training at Ross County. Hopefully, things work out for him there.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Michael Tidser wants to help take County to safety before returning to Rotherham after agreeing a six-month loan at Victoria Park.
Adams tried to bring the 23-year-old to the Dingwall club on a permanent deal last summer but the Morton captain headed to the League 1 Yorkshire club instead.
Opportunities under Steve Evans at the Millers have been limited and the Glasgow-born player had no hesitation in heading to the north of Scotland to get playing time.
Tidser and fellow loan signing Filip Kiss formed a formidable partnership in midfield as County came from 3-1 down to pick up a crucial point in a 3-3 draw at Partick Thistle.
The ex-Scotland under-19 cap aims to follow up his impressive first start for the Staggies at home with Dundee United and Hearts venturing to Victoria Park in the next two weeks.
He said: “I do see enough quality in the dressing-room for us to get out of this position but there are a lot of big games coming up.
“I know from my time playing against Ross County in the past it is never easy going to Dingwall.
“We are hoping to make it difficult for teams and to get three points in every game.
“We had won two on the spin and it is always a tricky game at Thistle.
“It was a bit edgy and it could have gone either way, we were 3-1 down and came back and it was a good point.
“Hopefully, we can keep building now.”
Tidser is intent on making a big impact with County after a frustrating start to his Rotherham career.
He added: “I am delighted to be here. As far as I am concerned it is a six-month loan deal until May 11. My future is down south now, unless something changes, that is as far as it goes for me.
“I have never played in the Scottish Premiership before, but hopefully I can help the team try to climb the table.”