St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has confirmed John Mahon is available for loan in January.
But the Perth boss would prefer his centre-back to go to a club in the Scottish Championship rather than return home to the League of Ireland.
Mahon’s old side Sligo Rovers, Bohemians and St Pat’s are all understood to be interested in a move for the 24-year-old, who has fallen out of the Saints first team picture, having not featured in a league game all season.
Davidson still believes he has a long-term future at McDiarmid Park.
However, Liam Gordon, Andy Considine, Alex Mitchell, Ryan McGowan and James Brown are all ahead of him in the Saints centre-half pecking order.
“You look at the size of our squad and where we are, how well Alex and Ryan have done,” said Davidson.
“It’s been difficult for John to get back in and it’s important he goes and plays.
“We’ve had a chat.
“Ideally, I’d like him to go to a Scottish team with a view to coming back here. We didn’t bring him in just to let him go.
“He struggled a little bit at the start of the season with chances to play. But he performed really well the last game of the season here (the second leg of the play-off final against Inverness Caley Thistle) under pressure.
“There is potential there, there’s a player there, we just need to find it and get the best out of him.”
Interest already
Davidson added: “There are a couple of clubs in Ireland and a couple in Scotland interested.
“I’d say if he went to the Championship in Scotland to play we’d get a true reflection and see where he is.
“He’s played in Ireland already. But what’s right for both parties counts and ultimately it comes down to the player.”
Davidson reiterated that next month “there are probably going to be more outs than ins”.
He continued: “We will look at maybe one or two players to come in to make a real big difference and try and push us to fight for positions higher.
“But I’m quite happy with the squad. We’ve got Callum Booth, David Wotherspoon returning and hopefully Chris Kane returning pretty soon so there’s kind of new players coming in to help us.
“If anyone leaves, we are ready to go and get someone in.”
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