RAITH ROVERS

The SPFL and SFA could be called in to decide if Raith can bring in Rangers striker Ryan Hardie on loan next month. The 19-year-old, who has been at St Mirren since August on a temporary basis, is returning to Ibrox next month and the Kirkcaldy club are keen to take him back to Stark’s Park after a successful spell there in the second half of last season.

However, a non-playing substitute role for Rangers could scupper the deal as Hardie was listed by the Ibrox club on their bench back in July when they defeated East Stirling 3-0.

FIFA rules allow players to sign for three clubs in a season but only feature for two and the Stark’s Park club need to get confirmation from Hampden that Hardie will be able to play for them before taking their interest any further.

Vanarama National League side Tranmere who are managed by Scot Micky Mellon are also interested in Hardie.

ALBION ROVERS

Player/manager Darren Young reckons the money generated from the club’s Scottish Cup meeting with Celtic next month will not help him recruit new players once the transfer window opens.

The Coatbridge side have moved the January 22 tie from their Cliftonhill ground to Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium for safety reasons and that move along with live Sky television coverage will net Rovers a six-figure sum. However, Young does not believe his budget will be increased.

Young said: “I would reckon that the club will use the money to cover on-going costs as opposed to handing it over and allowing me to bring new players in. Albion Rovers is not a rich club but on the plus side I may have had to reduce the squad in January so this may allow me to keep numbers as they are.”

EDINBURGH CITY

Another experienced player is expected to join City's ranks with a former Aberdeen player who once scored in a UEFA Cup tie against Bayern Munich set to join the Meadowbank Stadium side.

Josh Walker, who netted against the Bundesliga giants in February 2008 at Pittodrie during a loan spell from Middlesbrough, is in talks to join Joe Mbu, Marc Laird and Craig Beattie at the club as manager Gary Jardine looks to ensure that they survive their first season of senior football.

Walker has now settled in Edinburgh having played in England and India after recovering from a knee injury he picked up with southern Indian side Bengaluru.

The captain of the England Under-20 side at the World Cup in 2009 had been interesting East Fife, but the 27-year-old now looks set to play in League 2.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH

Morton were the side that ended the Doonhamers' bright start to the season in spectacular style the last time the sides met, and midfielder Mark Millar reckons the trip to Greenock this weekend is the perfect chance to get back to winning ways.

Jim Duffy's men travelled to Dumfries in October to take on an undefeated, and table-topping, Queens side, and handed out a 5-0 drubbing. That defeat started a seven-game losing run that cost manager Gavin Skelton his job with the Palmerston Park side only now showing signs of recovery under recently appointed manager Gary Naysmith.

“That Morton game started the horrible run that we have been on," Millar said. "We started the game well but once Morton got their noses in front it just became a horrible day.

“They scored some great goals but it became easier for them to do that the longer the game went on. That game, however, is done and dusted. It is out of our system as you cannot keep looking back at games that have gone, you have to look forward.”

Meanwhile, Celtic youngster Joe Thomson looks set to switch sides in the Championship with the midfielder in line to join Queen of the South on loan when his temporary period at Dumbarton comes to an end next month.

DUMBARTON

Former Celtic and Stranraer midfielder Grant Gallagher underwent a scan this week to get to the bottom of the troublesome ankle injury that has kept him out since September.

Manager Stephen Aitken is anxiously waiting on the results as it could alter his recruitment plans for the second half of the season as he explained: “We thought Grant would be back by now however he is still experiencing some pain.

Hopefully the scan will identify the problem and we can work out what the best course of action is for Grant and for the squad.”

ANNAN

Midfielder Josh Todd is top of manager Jim Chapman's wish list as he looks to bring the 22-year-old back to Galabank after learning that he has told Dumbarton that he will not be returning in January once his short-term contract expires.

The former Carlisle United player scored over 40 goals in a three-season spell with the Black and Golds with manager Jim Chapman saying: “Josh stays close to us and we believe that travelling was the main issue for ending his time at Dumbarton. He did really well here and we will look to see if he can be brought back.”

AYR UNITED

Motherwell striker Craig Moore will return to Somerset Park on January 16 after a six-month gap caused by a head injury.

The 22-year-old spent last season with the Honest Men on a temporary basis and scored 14 times as Ian McCall’s side were promoted from League 1.

But a head knock in a Betfred Cup tie against St Mirren in July ruled Moore out of action.

McCall said: “It will feel that we have a new player on board when Craig comes back. We wanted him to be our main striker in the Championship this season and there is still time for him to do that.”