Kurtis Byrne and Ross Fisher head for Brechin on loan

Ross County striker Kurtis Byrne

Brechin City have signed Kilmarnock defender Ross Fisher and Ross County striker Kurtis Byrne, one of two players put up for loan by the club.

Goalkeeper Joe Malin had just recovered from injury but found himself third choice at the Dingwall club.

Brechin manager Jim Weir turned to the Scottish Premier League for loan recruits after a series of injuries.

Gerry McGlauchlan, Craig Molloy, Derek Carcary and Ryan Stewart are all still missing for the Second Division side.

Byrne and Fisher are expected to make their debuts away to Ayr United and Weir was also trying to do a deal to bring in Dunfermline Athletic winger Allan Smith in time for the game.

Weir said: "Our squad is beginning to look a bit healthier numbers-wise.

"Being short of bodies was hurting us and hopefully an injection of freshness will help us be a lot better defensively than we have been."

The 22-year-old Byrne joined County after leaving Hibernian in 2011 but has made only one appearance this season - in a 4-1 home defeat by First Division side Raith Rovers in the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Malin, who had previous loan spells with Elgin City, came through the youth system at Victoria Park but has not played for County since February, a 2-1 defeat by St Mirren in the Scottish Cup being his only appearance last season.

The signing of former Inverness Caley Thistle, Celtic and Hibernian goalkeeper Mark Brown to challenge Michael Fraser has further diminished his first-team chances.

Teenager Fisher has come through the ranks at Rugby Park.