New face Badza is a regular for his country’s national team and has had limited experience of European football after a short spell with Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot.

Most recently he has been training with Kilmarnock, but did not reach agreement on a deal at Rugby Park, so Craig Brewster has brought him to the east coast.

“I’ve agreed to have a look at him, but don’t know too much about him and will have to see how he does in training over the next few days,” said Craig.

“Matingou’s name has also been mentioned again, but I can’t say for definite yet that he will be coming over.”

After the problems that led to a deal for Zambian attacker Chris Katongo being scrapped last week, the manager is understandably cautious about the chances of Badza’s arrival, in particular, leading to a permanent switch.

Doing a deal for Matingou could be straight forward now that he is a free agent. Talks were opened with him last month, but stalled after it emerged Bastia still held his registration.

Training resumed after a four-day break this morning.

Defender Lee Mair should be back in full training in the next few days. He could be on duty against Hibs at Tannadice on Sunday, but tomorrow’s reserve game at Dunfermline is too soon for him.

On duty against the Pars will be the player-manager, who has recovered from the shoulder injury sustained against Falkirk’s second string last month.

“My shoulder is feeling fine, so I am hoping to get 90 minutes and we’ll probably give Lee Wilkie another run out tomorrow,” added Craig.

Also back in contention for the weekend should be goalkeeper Ludovic Roy, out since the opening league clash with Partick just over a month ago, but who is expected to return to full training in the next few days.

The one big doubt remains centre-half Gary McKenzie, who should have the results of a scan on his damaged ankle by the end of the day.

Prior to a specialist’s opinion, Alex was reluctant to say too much about the injury that dogged McKenzie in his final season at Rangers and flared up again after he turned his ankle at Hamilton last month, but it is causing concern.

“Big Gary has basically only been playing since Hamilton and not doing much training between matches and that’s a worry,” said Alex.

“We’ll see what the specialist is saying, but, right, now I don’t think it looks too clever.”

Saturday’s game at Murray Park saw the manager have a look at former Coventry City striker Craig Reid and quickly decide he was not what was required.

Despite the transfer window being closed, Alex will continue to consider free agents as he looks to strengthen his squad and a young player could arrive for a trial this week.

After the transfer frenzy of the last couple of months or so, he is looking forward to being able to spend his time working with the players he already has.

“The squad is still light so I won’t stop looking for new players, but I am glad the window is closed and I can think mainly about the ones who are here,” he admitted.

“It was good to get some of the injured ones another game at the weekend and I think Ludo Roy should be back this week, so that’s a help.”