Allan Youngson, Sean McKinstry and Lewis McKimmie are the players in the open to offer bracket, all likely to attract strong interest in the coming days.

Youngson joined the club just over a year ago from Peterhead, Locos beating off competition from Deveronvale and Forfar Athletic for his signature. Better known as "Alfie", he is a player who went to Chelsea as a schoolboy then was on Dundee's books for three years. He took a while to win over the Locos fans last season but a last gasp winner against the Vale in the League opener was a big boost to the man with the classy left peg.

Dave Cormie said of Youngson: "I made it clear when I came in I wanted to play two wide players as much as possible, so in that respect Alfie was facing big competition. He needs to be playing regular to show what he can do."

Sean McKinstry was a surprise signing on the day Youngson scored that goal, coming to Inverurie along with Gary Nicol a few hours before Keith were to unfurl their Championship flag. Having come through the Maroons ranks from an early age and captained the Under 21 side, Locos were forced to pay a sizeable fee for his services recently following a tribunal.

Dave Cormie said: "Sean has worked hard to come back to fitness after injury but he won't knock Tommy Wilson out of the team, there are not too many players who could."

Youngest of the threesome is Lewis McKimmie, son of former Dons legend Stewart, a player who will only turn 18 in April but a youngster who has made a handful of appearances as a pacy diminutive little striker causing problems for defences. He was one of the summer signings, coming in from Banks O'Dee.

Cormie said: "Lewis was only going to be in too long a queue, but he is an excellent striker. It's just that with Scott Michie and Kenny Coull playing, Neil Gauld settling back in and Craig Ross possibly going back up there and Danny Milne able to play there too, his chances were limited."

Looking at the decision to make he three players available as a whole he added: "I must stress none of the three wanted to run away, but we will listen to offers for them, they are the type that need to be playing every week and I did not see that happening here when everyone was fit.

"We have 21 signed players at the moment which is not necessarily too big, but I feel a bit imbalanced and I feel too many players in certain areas of the team competing was not making for a right balance."