Ross County have taken former Hearts midfielder Ruben Palazuelos on trial.
County manager Jim McIntyre is running the rule over Palazuelos after a bid to sign Queen of the South’s Ian McShane was rejected.
Palazuelos has been without a club since leaving Cypriot side Ermis Aradippou in November, having only joined in the summer following a short stint with then English Championship club Yeovil Town last season.
The 31-year-old’s previous spell in Scotland came when he joined Hearts in 2007. The Spaniard spent four years with the Tynecastle club, making 125 appearances and scoring three goals.
McIntyre managed 22-year-old McShane at the Championship club who are fifth in the table and pushing for a play-off spot.
Following the departure of former Don Mark Kerr to Falkirk earlier this month Queen of the South manager James Fowler is determined to keep his man and said: “Ross County made an offer but the board at the club declined it and the matter is closed as far as I am concerned. Ian has trained with us all week and will feature against Cowdenbeath at the weekend.
“He will be here for the rest of the season unless something major changes and I am delighted with that as he is a big part of our squad.”
County are still awaiting international clearance for Lithuanian forward Darvydas Sernas, who is still short of fitness which would have ruled him out of tomorrow’s Highland derby against Caley Thistle.
McIntyre added: “He’s going to take two or three weeks to get up to speed. He’s not ready so I wouldn’t consider him this weekend.”