Rangers linked with Cousin

Cousin's agent, Willie McKay, revealed he had held talks with Rangers over a return for the Gabon international, who has just finished a stint playing for his country at the African Cup of Nations.

Cousin, who turned 35 this week, had been playing in his homeland before the tournament but last week claimed he had attracted interest from clubs across Europe.

The target man scored 13 goals in 44 games for Rangers after being signed by Walter Smith, and was sold to Hull City in September 2008.

McCoist told Blues News: "We definitely, definitely need to strengthen, if we can, in the forward area.

"I won't bring anyone in just for the sake of it, that's not going to help anyone.

"But there are one or two we have been looking at and, if we get the opportunity to bring them in, then believe me I will."

McCoist has been forced to look in the market for free agents after Rangers failed to replace top goalscorer Nikica Jelavic when he was sold to Everton on the final day of the January transfer window.

With Kyle Lafferty 'still a couple of weeks away' from returning from a hamstring injury and Steven Naismith out for the season, McCoist is short of experienced strikers.

But 20-year-old Kane Hemmings could offer him another option in the coming weeks after returning to training from a two-month lay-off.

The English forward played in the UEFA Champions League qualifier in Malmo at the start of the season but his progress was stalled by a knee operation.

McCoist said: "It was disappointing for Kane to get injured when he did because he took part in most of the pre-season games and training before he picked it up.

"He's still got a long, long way to go and he's still potential but he's a great lad and one that we have high hopes for so it would be great to have him back.

"He's very positive and is a good striker of the ball with both feet. He's quick and he's very direct.

"I certainly don't want to put any pressure on him, but he's certainly someone that, when we look to the future, we think he'll be a really big player for the club."

Defender Kirk Broadfoot has also returned to training, but Steven Whittaker is on the same time frame as Lafferty after hernia surgery.

And American winger Alejandro Bedoya is closing in on a comeback after suffering an ankle injury three weeks ago.

Bedoya said: "I'm looking to get back as soon as possible and hopefully it will only be another week or two.

"It's been a rough start with injuries keeping me from being involved and just when I thought I was turning a corner and doing well in training and performing well in bounce games I get another injury.

"The team could definitely use some more players and everyone is working hard to get back fit and get some more competition in the squad.

"I think if you ask the gaffer and the coaches they would say they were pleased with the way I was training and playing in the closed doors games.

"Just when I thought I was settling in another injury knocked me back, so it's frustrating but it's just part of being a footballer and you have to keep moving on.

"Now it's important that I do everything that much better and make sure that I get back stronger. The rehab has been good so far so hopefully we can quicken up the process."

Meanwhile, McCoist revealed midfielder Jamie Ness had been making progress as he continues to battle recurring muscular injuries, which have restricted the talented 20-year-old to just two first-team appearances this season.

"Jamie's had an absolutely torrid time with injuries and he's been all over Europe and down to London to see specialists," McCoist said.

"I spoke to him this week because we'd sent him down to Lilleshall rehabilitation centre. He's been down there for a couple of weeks and he says he feels very good.

"He's hopefully close to kicking a ball again, although I'm loathed to say that because the lad has had so many disappointments."