Motherwell are lining up Jordan Roberts for a Fir Park return as Graham Alexander looks to have him in the building for the clash with Ross County.
The Hearts forward spent the first half of the season in Lanarkshire but was recalled at the beginning of this month as an extension could not be agreed.
Now though Motherwell have resurrected their interest in the 28-year-old and are locked in talks with both Roberts and his club.
Alexander is keen to bring in another striker with a likelihood that they could lose Tony Watt to Dundee United in this window. He has signed a pre-contract at Tannadice but United will need to agree to a six-figure fee to get him out now.
Motherwell are also in talks with Zak Rudden over a pre-contract.
The Thistle striker is out of contract in the summer but the Firhill club would be entitled to compensation as he is under 24.
Motherwell have also alerted Thistle that they will be looking to start discussions, but will not commit until given the green light.
St Johnstone have also bid in this window but have fallen short of the valuation set by the Jags.
