Highly-rated Queen of the South youngster Kevin Holt could be set for a summer switch to Dundee.

The Dark Blues have held secret negotiations with the 22-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best young full-backs in the lower tier of Scottish football.

Manager Paul Hartley is said to have travelled to meet the left-back personally, underlining his intent to get the Dumfries-born defender tied up on a deal for next season.

It had been expected that Dundee would complete the signing of Alloa’s Daryll Meggatt but talks between Holt and the club would cast doubt over that somewhat.

It’s not out of the question that both would put pen to paper but one thing that seems set in stone is the future of current incumbent Willie Dyer.

With his contract set to end in May, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely the former Morton man will be offered a new deal.

And with Paul obviously casting his net far and wide in search of full-back reinforcements, the exit door looks to be the only option for Dyer.

Holt, who could follow Falkirk’s Rory Loy to Dens, would be a positive acquisition to the side, though.

His attacking intent, willingness to get forward at every attempt and ability on the ball would fit perfectly into Paul’s blueprint for a full-back.

And having been rewarded handsomely, after the success of Scott Bain, Greg Stewart and Paul McGinn, it seems increasingly likely Paul will continue to scour the market in the Championship and below.

Holt’s contract at Palmerston Park is up in June but, were a deal to be brokered, the Doonhamers would be due compensation, as was the case with Alloa and Bain last summer.

Meanwhile, the manager admits things could have been worse for the Dark Blues despite heading into a three-week spell without action with a defeat in Dingwall.

Dropped points from rivals Hamilton and St Johnstone meant the Ross County loss didn’t hurt his side’s top-six charge too much.

“You see the other results and it could have been worse for us but we’ve got to regroup,” he said.

“We didn’t have the quality on the day. We didn’t pass it as well as we can.

“I didn’t think it was a good spectacle of a game, there was no great quality in it.

“They score a good goal from their point of view but from ours it’s bad play.”