Ross County manager Owen Coyle could hand Tim Chow a starting opportunity against Dundee tomorrow after turning down a request for him to go on international duty with Chinese Taipei.
Wigan-born Chow is now eligible to play for Chinese Taipei after obtaining a Taiwan passport earlier this year, qualifying through his grandfather.
The 23-year-old made his international debut in a 2-1 loss against Turkmenistan last month, with coach Gary White keen to involve him for games against Timor-Leste, Philippines and Laos this week.
Coyle says Chow’s importance to the Staggies cause was too great given the suspension of fellow midfielder Jim O’Brien for tomorrow’s game following an accumulation of yellow cards, and he could hand former Wigan Athletic player Chow a chance against the Dark Blues this weekend.
Chow’s only previous start under Coyle came in a 0-0 draw at St Johnstone in October, and the County boss said: “Tim is champing at the bit to play having been away with Chinese Taipei. They had actually asked for him this week again as he did well.
“I spoke to Tim and we had a good meeting about it. I don’t ever want to stand in the way of an individual player and his international ambitions. That being said, with Jim O’Brien suspended it was important Tim was here. We all felt the same thing.
“I spoke to Gary White, the manager of Chinese Taipei, and he was very understanding of that.
“The good was that Tim has played very well when he’s been away and they wanted him back very quickly. Jim being out and our midfield being depleted, it’s important Tim is here as well.
“The reason they were alerted to his availability is because he has done well in his time with Ross County.
“Jamie Lindsay has also done very well for us and was very unfortunate when not allowed to play against is parent club, but he came on last week and I thought he did terrifically in the game.
“We have options, with Jamie, Tim and various others, which is good to have.”
Coyle will make a late decision on skipper Andrew Davies, after the defender was forced off with a calf injury in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Coyle added: “It will be last minute. He has responded really well to the treatment. Our physio Kevin Bain seems to think he is in a decent place, but he will have to train on Friday for us to be satisfied in our minds that he is OK for Saturday.
“He is a terrific player and very good captain – a real leader and a proper man. Of course we would love to have him available but we will need to wait before we know what is happening on that front.”
