GOODWIN PLOTS RAID FOR NEW FULL-BACK

Aberdeen will step up their bid to sign Tranmere Rovers defender Josh Dacres-cogley.

The 26-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Dons are keen on bringing the attacking right-back to Pittodrie.

Manager Jim Goodwin has been tracking Dacres-cogley for months and the Dons considered making a move for the former Birmingham City defender in the summer.

Aberdeen signed Jayden Richardson from Nottingham Forest on a threeyear deal but it is understood Goodwin remains keen on adding competition at right-back.

With Dacres-cogley’s contract at Prenton Park nearing an end Aberdeen are ready to make their move next month.

Rovers, managed by former Dundee United boss Micky Mellon, know they risk losing Dacres-cogley for nothing in the summer.

The Tranmere manager may be tempted to cash in on the wing-back in January if he agrees a move to Scotland.

Goodwin will be hoping Mellon is willing to do a deal for Dacres-cogley as he bids to strengthen his defence for the second half of the season.

Goodwin has scoured the lower leagues of English football on a regular basis for players, having added striker Jonathan Obika to the ranks while at Paisley.

He brought former Dons and Motherwell striker Curtis Main back to Scottish football last season.

The trend of recruiting players from England has continued this season at Pittodrie.

Kelle Roos, Anthony Stewart, Callum Roberts and Shayden Morris have all moved north on permanent deals while Hayden Coulson and Leighton Clarkson are on season-long loans from Middlesbrough and Liverpool respectively.