Ross County midfielder pair Rocco Quinn and Martin Woods are nearing a return from injury but manager Jim McIntyre says they have their work cut out to regain their places in his thriving Staggies side.
Quinn has been sidelined since limping off with a hamstring injury in County’s 1-1 draw against Motherwell last month, while Woods is recovering from a knee injury he picked up in the recent 3-3 draw against Dundee.
Although the pair remain doubtful for Saturday’s game against Hearts at Tynecastle, McIntyre says they are making good progress in their recoveries.
McIntyre said: “Martin joined in training on Monday and is still a wee bit tentative with his knee. By the end of the week, he should be back to 100%.
“Rocco is back running as well – at about 70% pace. His hamstring is settling nicely and hopefully by the end of next week he’ll be back in full training.”
The return of Quinn and Woods will bolster McIntyre’s midfield options but the Staggies manager says there are no guarantees for the pair due to the Dingwall side’s fine recent displays, which have helped them rise to fourth in the table.
One player who has been handed his opportunity iis Stewart Murdoch, who joined in the summer from Fleetwood Town, and McIntyre says his performances have made it difficult for his midfield competitors to break into the team.
McIntyre added: “I’ve been very impressed. Stewart has a fabulous attitude. When he keeps his game nice and simple he’s a very good player.
“He took a setback after playing the first game against Celtic and then was left out for a few weeks. But the sign of a good professional is knuckling down and making sure he gets back in the team.
“There are one or two who can learn from Stewart in terms of how he bounced back from that. There’s no doubt that is exactly what you’re looking for as a manager.
“We’ve got a strong squad and the competition is there. We see it every day in training, so that’s exactly what you’re after.”
McIntyre has also secured goalkeeping cover, having signed English goalkeeper James Severn on a short-term amateur contract until January following an ankle ligament injury sustained by Scott Fox.
On-loan Leyton Orient goalkeeper Gary Woods started Friday’s 2-0 win against Aberdeen but Severn joined in time to take his place on the bench.
McIntyre is pleased to have secured goalkeeping cover and added: “It is very difficult to go and get the right goalkeeper and we feel we’ve managed to do that. Scott Fox’s injury will keep him out for a couple of months, so it is great to get someone who has played at a decent level in England.”