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Ross County have had a bid to sign former Victoria Park favourite Derek Adams on-loan from Motherwell rejected.
County manager Neale Cooper had hoped to solve the Second Division club's goalscoring problems by bringing Adams back but his hopes have been dashed by the Premier League side.
Fir Park manager Billy Davies rejected the approach because he feels the 24-year-old still has a first-team future with the Lanarkshire club.
Adams left County to join Motherwell for £175,000 in 1998, after finishing the previous season as the club's record goalscorer.
He was signed by former Fir Park boss Harri Kampman but has struggled to claim a regular first-team spot since Davies took over. Adams had a spell earlier this season on loan at First Division Ayr United.
Cooper said: "We asked Motherwell about the possibility of bringing Derek back but they said no.
"They said he is very much part of their plans and I think he was named in their squad for Saturday's game.
"We have asked to be kept in touch if things change but, at this moment in time, it looks unlikely. We have one or two other options and we'll keep working away and if they don't come-off then we'll have to work with what we have got."
Cooper also confirmed that there has been interest in transfer-listed pair Roy McBain and Michael Geraghty but there have been no firm bids.
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Ross County's form has slipped dramatically in recent weeks and they need to get back to winning ways at home to Queen of the South this afternoon to kick-start their promotion push.
County manager Neale Cooper revealed that the players watched the entire 90 minute X-rated video of last week's disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hamilton Accies.
He said: "We all sat down during the week to watch the video of the Accies game and it certainly didn't make for prime-time viewing. However, we tried to put right in training this week – the things we saw going wrong on tape – so, hopefully, we'll see an improvement against Queen of the South tomorrow.
"I want the players to be more adventurous and get more bodies up the park. They should go out and enjoy themselves, relax and go on to play the type of football they're capable of and give our loyal supporters something to shout about.
"The players themselves have had their own meetings this week and have come out positively to put in some good work in training sessions.
"It would be really great to give our fans something to cheer and we hope to put on a show for them against Queen of the South tomorrow."
The County boss has several injury worries, including Frenchman Franck Escalon who is again feeling unwell after apparently recovering from a virus complaint that kept him out of action for a couple of months.
Former Dunfermline striker George Shaw misses out with a calf injury, while keeper Nicky Walker and defender Dave MacKay have knee knocks. Former Dundee keeper Barry Thompson is again set to deputise between the sticks.
In addition, midfield man John Fraser is suspended.
The Doonhamers will have midfielder Alan Preston, on loan from St Johnstone, in their starting line-up, but fellow midfield man Steven Leslie is suspended.
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Ross County must storm Stirling Albion's base for the first time this season to keep their promotion push on course.
But it looks unlikely that young Don Michael Hart will join County's Second Division campaign as boss Neale Cooper searches for a solution to his striking problem.
County have scored the least goals in the division and Cooper is reluctant to take winger Hart on loan from Aberdeen when his real need is for a goalscorer.
Albion have won both league clashes this season and, with Ian Maxwell and Mark Duthie suspended and top scorer George Shaw an injury doubt, Cooper will look to £50,000 ex-Hearts striker Derek Holmes to add to his meagre four-goal tally.
"We are really short up front and must do more to put teams under pressure," said Cooper.
"Michael Hart was up in Dingwall for a couple of days, so that we could have a look at him, but he's back at Pittodrie now.
"The problem with Michael is that he has been playing at right back for the Dons reserves and we really need a striker, but we might get him back again to see him in action in a game."
Better news for Cooper is that Franck Escalon and John Fraser are available again, with Craig Tully and Martin Canning also added to the side which was held 1-1 at home by Arbroath.
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Former Don Joe Miller's proposed move to Ross County appears to have floundered at the first hurdle as the player failed to appear at Victoria Park for a week's trial as arranged.
County boss Neale Cooper said last night: "We haven't seen Joe although he may have had second thoughts after Saturday's disappointing defeat at Stirling Albion.
"In fairness to him, he did have several other options including, I believe, Dundee and Kilmarnock, so it's not altogether surprising."
It is believed Cooper and his assistant Gordon Chisholm have been scouring the country in an effort to find the striker who could ignite the Dingwall side's promotion push.
However, the County boss did reveal that he made initial inquiries yesterday to take Raith Rovers striker Paul Tosh to Dingwall on loan. Tosh has been on loan at Arbroath but the Kirkcaldy side recalled the player when Ross County declared an interest.
Cooper said: "We have been in contact with Raith Rovers about the possibility of taking Paul Tosh on loan but that's as far as it goes at the moment.
"We are looking for an all-round improvement when we go to Stranraer this weekend as the time has now come where we have to stand up and be counted. We certainly have to be more creative, positive and attack-minded."
The County boss added: "We really need a big push now as games are running out if we want to make sure of a promotion place."
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Ross County have failed in an attempt to lure Raith Rovers striker Paul Tosh to Victoria Park, leaving boss Neale Cooper to throw down the gauntlet to his incumbent hitmen in the Second Division clash at Stranraer today.
Cooper said last night: "We couldn't match what Paul Tosh was looking for financially. However, the lads know that we have been trying to strengthen our squad and whoever plays up front against Stranraer has the ideal opportunity to show us what they can do to turn around the disappointment of last week's defeat at Stirling Albion. If we want promotion, we will have to start playing better and be more consistent and aggressive.
"The Stranraer game is a very important one and, hopefully, our defence will not lose another goal after 30 seconds which always makes it difficult to come back.
"They will certainly be well-organised but if we want to win promotion these are the types of games we need to win."
County will be strengthened by the return of defenders Mark Duthie and Ian Maxwell. Young central defender Martin Canning returns to the squad.
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Ross County look set to sign striker Craig Feroz on loan from Livingston in time to play tonight against Stenhousemuir in their Second Division clash at Ochilview.
County boss Neale Cooper had hoped to sign the ex-Brechin City forward in time to play in Saturday's defeat of Stranraer at Stair Park.
However, the 22-year-old Aberdonian looks set to finalise terms on a month-long loan deal today and Cooper feels his presence will bolster his current strikeforce of Steve Ferguson and George Shaw.
Cooper said: "I definitely feel we need to add something up front and most people can probably see that we've been struggling for goals.
"The lads who played up front on Saturday – George Shaw and Steve Ferguson – did well for us. Steve went up front and led the line really well, but we need another striker."
Feroz will be added to an otherwise unchanged squad for the trip to Stirlingshire, while Warriors player-boss Graeme Armstrong looks set to leave himself out for the match.
Cooper added: "I was really pleased with the battling qualities the players showed against Stranraer at the weekend.
"The attitude, work-rate and will-to-win from the players was terrific and if they show that every week, I can't really ask much more from them."
Second-bottom Stenhousemuir now know they must start winning soon to avoid a relegation dogfight with Queen of the South through the run-in.
Player-boss Armstrong said: "We're now in the position we don't want to be in and every game will be a battle until we can move ourselves clear.
"I don't believe we're the second worst team in the league, but it's up to the players to prove it."
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