Jim McIntyre is impressed by the early impact of Dutch trialist Alex Schalk and will decide shortly whether to sign the young forward.
The former NEC Breda and Go Ahead Eagles frontman has so far spent three days training with Ross County.
McIntyre was still assessing the 23-year-old’s talents ahead of today’s match but admits his trialist looked razor sharp on his first couple of days at Dingwall.
The County manager said: “He only arrived on Monday and players’ day off is Wednesday, so we’ve had limited time with him.
“The early signs are he is very sharp and technically very good. He was recommended to us and he will have a look at us and we will have a good look at him.
“He is only 23 – a young boy with his career ahead of him – and he certainly has got good qualities. But when it’s outside the transfer window it’s only right for both parties to have a look at each other and that’s what we’re doing.”
McIntyre will warn County to beware the wounded animal as Partick visit Dingwall in search of a first win of the season.
Last time the teams met, back on April 25, Alan Archibald’s men came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Dingwall and prolong the Staggies’ agony in the struggle to escape relegation.
McIntyre said: “Partick’s current situation makes them very dangerous.
“You just need to look back to the last time we played them, which wasn’t too long ago, and they turned us over.
“It will be a difficult game. I watched their game from the weekend, a 1-0 defeat at home to Dundee, and they certainly should have taken something from it.
“I always say goals change games and getting the first one is crucial.
“They hit the woodwork three times and that seems to be the way it’s falling for them right now but that doesn’t mean to say they’re not a dangerous side.
“They have good players and I know Alan Archibald will have them ready. They will be a real handful.”
County lost the lead late at Motherwell last time out and McIntyre is looking for his team to be more ruthless today.
He said: “In a couple of games we’ve had a chance to go and get the second goal and make it a bit easier. While there’s only one goal in it, the other team is always capable of coming back.
“The concentration levels need to remain up until the last minute.”