Ross County are lining up a loan move for Celtic goalkeeper Ross Doohan.
The Staggies are looking for goalkeeping cover to compete with Ross Laidlaw, after Ross Munro suffered a knee injury in training.
Doohan has emerged as a target after impressing on loan at Championship side Ayr United in the last two seasons, and forcing his way into the Scotland under-21 side.
A move for the 22-year-old is likely to depend on the Hoops securing goalkeeping cover however, after losing Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon.
Kettlewell confirmed a goalkeeper is among his priorities, with teenagers Jamie Stephen and Logan Ross the only fit competition for Laidlaw at present.
Kettlewell said: “We have an injury to Ross Munro, so we are operating with Ross Laidlaw and a 16-year-old.
“We need to add a bit of strength and competition into that area for the start of the season. We have been active at identifying the ones we want but it has been a slightly longer process.”
Kettlewell has already brought in defenders Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti, with the Staggies boss eager to shore up a backline which had the worst defensive record in the top flight last term.
He added: “It is not a secret, I am not throwing anyone under the bus but we conceded the most goals in the Premiership last season.
“For me to say we are not looking to improve on that front would be naive.
“We are looking to see if we can close the back door. I believe it is a function of your entire team and it is not down to your back three or four or goalkeeper.
“We need to find a solution because we conceded 66 goals last season with eight games to play.
“I am not creating a drama out of what happened last season but it needs to be improved. We have to find a formula and get that backline that we can rely on a weekly basis.
“I have always believed that if you chop and change you get no continuity and it becomes a wee bit of a mixed bag.
“We are looking for four or five guys to give us that foundation.”
Munro has returned from a season-long loan with League 1 champions Raith Rovers, and had been looking to push Laidlaw after Nathan Baxter returned to Chelsea following a loan spell at Victoria Park.
Kettlewell is hopeful 20-year-old Munro will make a speedy recovery, adding: “It looks like something is going on with his knee and we just need to be cautious with him.
“I would hope it won’t drag on too long but we need to add in that department.
“I hope young Ross is back sooner rather than later.
“He had a good loan at Raith Rovers last season and was part of their promotion to the Championship.
“We were looking for him to come in and throw his hat into the ring in that area.”
