Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine will return to pre-season training on Wednesday after being granted an extended summer break by Staggies manager Jim McIntyre.
Australian Irvine was on international duty earlier this summer, winning caps as a substitute in friendlies against England and Greece.
The 23-year-old was this month the subject of a failed bid from newly-promoted English Championship outfit Burton Albion, with McIntyre and chairman Roy MacGregor insisting the former Celtic player is not for sale.
County returned to pre-season training on Friday, ahead of their first competitive match in the League Cup group stage against Montrose on July 16.
Irvine was not present, however, having been given extra time off by his manager, and following a season in which he missed just two matches through an ankle ligament injury, McIntyre is hopeful he will benefit from the rest.
McIntyre said: “Jackson has had a busy summer with being away with the national team and didn’t finish until June 8.
“We gave him an extra few days to spend with his family and he deserves it. This time last year he was playing games for the Australian under-23s and has played 50 or 60 matches in the last year. His body needs a break and it should do him no harm at all.”
