ST MIRREN manager Jack Ross has this week bolstered his squad with three new signings.

Dundee striker Rory Loy has returned to Saints on loan from the Den Park club until the end of the season. Norwegian midfielder Pål Fjelde joins up having left Byrne FK in his native country, while Saints are set to confirm the signing of Dumbarton midfielder Josh Todd today.

Midfielder Craig Storie started his loan from Aberdeen on Monday and is in line for his Saints' debut at East End Park on Saturday when the Buddies take on Dunfermline.

Lawrence Shankland's loan from Aberdeen was ended early and the striker has joined Saints' Renfrewshire rivals Morton.

Ross hailed the capture of Loy, who played with his new manager during his Loy's six-month spell at St Mirren in 2010 and shone in the Championship during his two seasons at Falkirk, as a major coup for Saints after the Buddies fended off competition from rival clubs for his signature.

Ross said: "I've maintained all along that I wanted to make sure we got players who would strengthen our first team and our squad and I'm pleased. Rory in particular is a big coup for us at this stage to still attract a player of that quality.

"There was other teams interested and, rightly, Rory was waiting to see if he could continue to play at Premiership level, so there was a bit of patience required and there was significant competition.

"I've got a good relationship with Paul Hartley at Dundee, I had a couple of chats with him which were positive and I actually played with Rory at St Mirren.

"I know him reasonably well and when I spoke to him I think he was encouraged and excited by what I had to say. I was encouraged by how motivated he was to come and help us out of this position.

"He's a proven Championship and Premiership player and he's at a good age, at 28 he's at his peak. As a manager I'm excited about working with him."

Pål Fjelde will be less well known to Saints fans and arrives in Paisley after two years at Byrne FK, the majority of which was spent in the Norwegian top flight before the club's relegation last season.

Ross admitted Fjelde represented a bit of a gamble but the player's attitude impressed his new boss, who believes the 22-year-old's versatility will prove valuable in the Paisley side's bid to avoid relegation to League One.

He said: "James and I have spent a huge amount of time since we took the job going over a lot of players that get put towards us by contacts. We've had to sort through a lot of them to find ones who we feel could be assets to us.

"Pål was on trial at a couple of English clubs for a reasonable period and there was a couple of lower league English clubs interested in him.

"We actually thought he would sign down there but it didn't work out for whatever reason. He came up and played a bounce game for us a couple of weeks ago, he played really well. He can be an all round midfielder, he's got an ability to go box to box, he can play the holding role or at centre back.

"Pål is really keen to play in the United Kingdom and is still only 22. He's a versatile player and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does.

"Look there is an element of a gamble attached to it, but it is an educated one because I do think he will enhance our squad."

Meanwhile St Mirren could be set to lose full back Jason Naismith as early as next week. The defender has signed a pre-contract agreement with Premiership side Ross County, however talks between the clubs and the player will continue next week with a view to Naismith moving to Dingwall this month.

The 22-year-old is in the St Mirren squad for Saturday's trip to Dunfermline.

Ross added: "It's something that we're aware of and we're in constant dialogue with Jason. I was on the phone to (Ross County manager) Jim McIntyre on Wednesday, we'll get the game on Saturday out the way then we'll have another chat and see what is the best way forward for all parties."