Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy could be about to make a move for Partick Thistle defender Adrian Madaschi.
The Black Cats boss is believed to have had a scout in the Firhill stands watching the Australian as Jags slumped to defeat to Falkirk at the weekend.
McCarthy has seen his first choice defensive pairing of Phil Babb and former Ranger Joachim Bjorklund released because of club cost-cutting.
After being impressed by the debut of former Dumbarton stopper Neil Collins against Reading at the weekend, McCarthy is now thought to be considering a second raid north of the border.
A source at the club confirmed: "Sunderland have had a poor start to the season and have conceded eight goals in six games as they have dropped to 17th.
"Mick is under pressure and since the release of Phil Babb and Jocky Bjorklund the central defensive pairing has been a problem.
"Neil Collins made his debut at Reading and he was very impressive, but Gary Breen, the club captain, is the only certain starter, so Sunderland are light in that area.
"Madaschi is a hungry young stopper who is physically imposing and Mick likes that in his defenders."
With the Stadium of Light club believed to be around £30million in debt Madaschi may be seen as an ideal signing at a knockdown price.
Thistle co-boss Derek Whyte is not surprised at the interest in the 21-year old, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
He said: "There has been interest from English clubs, but that is understandable, especially after Adrian's performances at the Olympics.
"At the end of the day we are a selling club, but at the moment, there is nothing more than interest."
The transfer window situation does not apply to the Coca-Cola Championship clubs so there would be no restriction on Madaschi signing for the former Celtic defender.
Meanwhile Manny Panther is crossing his fingers that his second goal in two games will help him earn a start against St Mirren on Saturday.
Panther said: "I was pleased to come on and score against Falkirk. Although we were 3-0 down at the time I was just glad to give something different.
"I scored against Albion Rovers and it was brilliant to get another to add to that.
"Over the piece though, I am disappointed as the team lost out.
"The St Mirren game this weekend is now shaping up into a massive one for us and hopefully I have done enough to figure.
However, that decision is down to the managers and they know what they are doing.
"I'd like to think I did enough to be in their minds for a start."
Panther has assured fans that the 4-1 bashing from Bairns was a blip.
He said: "The boys are hurting. We have had a great run of results, including a super win at Ross County, but over the course of a season you are going to have the odd bad day at the office. We just need to make sure that was ours out of the way.
"We sat down with the gaffers yesterday and went through the video of the Falkirk game and it wasn't pleasant viewing.
"But it's gone now and it's all about focussing on the St Mirren game.
"I think the bosses know that although we didn't get the result we wanted we never stopped grafting. With the same amount of effort at Love Street we can maybe get a result to get us back on the rails.
"It's early days and I believe we have the quality here to come back from this setback. Remember, the league season is over 36 games not five."
Evening Times