ROSS COUNTY have emerged as strong favourites to sign Joe Cardle, the Raith Rovers winger, ahead of Dundee, with the 27-year-old expected to sign for the Dingwall club in the next couple of days.

The former Dunfermline winger Cardle was rumoured to be heading to the newly promoted Dens Park side, however Derek Adams, the County manager, has made his move early and nipped in to secure the player.

Cardle is expected to head north to complete the deal by the end of the week.

A source close to the forward said: "There has been talk of Joe, about Dundee for Joe, however he has been impressed by County and is heading there."