Houston awaits decision on Rudi Skacel’s future

Houston, who is preparing his side to face Ross County today, said: “Rudi Skacel has a week left, but he wants to keep his options open because he is 33. I would like to keep him. I would like to bring people in, but finances are tight.

“But if we had to go to the end of the season with everyone fit then I would be happy, because I think we are good enough to get that top six position.”

Houston has targeted an improvement in home form, starting against Ross County. The Taysiders, sitting in seventh place, have only won two home SPL games this season, the last of which was a 3-0 win over neighbours Dundee last August.

The former Scotland assistant said: “That has been the biggest disappointment this season and it becomes an issue when we have not won at home since the Dundee derby. There have been too many draws when we have played well enough to see teams off.

“You always hope you can turn your home ground into a fortress. Unfortunately, our home form has not been as good as it should have been, but our away form has been really good. If we can keep that away form going and turn the home form around, then I am convinced we can get top six.”

Ross County manager Derek Adams is excited about his revamped front line as Steffen Wohlfarth pushes for a debut today.

The 29-year-old joined this week after a spell in the third tier of German football, where he previously played for Bayern Munich reserves.

Adams also saw winger Ivan Sproule score twice on his debut in last weekend’s 4-1 win at St Mirren Park, with Sam Morrow coming off the bench to hit his second goal of an injury-affected campaign.

Adams said: “Steffen has been here for a few weeks now and he’s looking forward to getting started. He’ll go into the squad and we’ll see if he is part of the 18.

“He’s a strong attacker, he’s six feet plus, he takes the ball in well, has good technical ability, a good idea of the game.

“We have got good competition there with Gary Glen, Steven Ross and Sam Morrow. Sam’s had a bit of a lift with Ivan Sproule, an old team-mate from Hibs, coming in. That’s given him a bit of a bounce.

“He’s a player that’s got undoubted ability, now he’s got to find that consistency. I’m really hopeful that he becomes a big part of our season.”