Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says he is confident of adding a defender from down south to his ranks before the transfer deadline.
The New Douglas Park side are keen to add two new players to their squad but their search for a striker isn't as pressing, with their hopes of securing a loan deal from a Premiership club able to be completed after the midnight deadline in Scotland.
The window shuts at 11pm tonight in England and Rankin is hopeful he will bolster his backline with his fifth capture of the month.
Rankin has already used the English market for two of his four signings so far, landing loan deals for Newcastle United striker Dylan Stephenson and Stoke City midfielder Tom Sparrow.
Asked if he was hopeful of getting a deal for a defender over the line today, Rankin told Lanarkshire Live Sport: "On deadline day there are no guarantees on anything but this is one we have been speaking about since before the Ross County game [on January 21].
"This has been going to us, player and the clubs and I don't think it is too far away.
"The player is a first team squad member so that makes it slightly more difficult but we are confident something will be done today.
"He was involved for his current club at the weekend and we will need to be patient.
"On deadline day, you can start to push buttons and agitate people so it's about giving people time and respecting the club in question, who have got other business to do.
"We are looking to complete this in the best possible way for both clubs.
"This is one we've had in the pipeline and hopefully we can get it done over the next few hours and we can move on to the next one."
Accies are trying to seal a deal with a Premiership club for a forward to complement the recent acquisitions of Connor Smith and Stephenson.
And Rankin added: "We know we need to strengthen in defence and attack.
"The loan window doesn't shut until the end of the month so it is one that we've got more time to work on.
"Hopefully we can get it done sooner rather than later though.
"Whether the player becomes avilable for loan or becomes a free agent, we need to wait and see and that could be a stumbling block, but we are still pretty confident we can get something done there as well."
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