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Ross County striker Liam Boyce hopes to return from a hand fracture in time for the League Cup semi-final with Celtic on 31 January.

The 24-year-old, who is the Premiership player of the month for December, has missed the last three matches.

"I had another x-ray today and they think it's going to be another two to four weeks," said Boyce.

"I'm aiming for the Celtic semi-final, it's a big match, but I'll just need to take each game as it comes."

Boyce has found the net 17 times for the Staggies this season, so the Northern Ireland international is frustrated to be sidelined.

"I'm obviously hoping it's two weeks [before he can return], I might be able to play with a smaller cast," he added.

"It's really annoying since I can do everything except contact. I just need to stay positive and keep in good shape."

Boyce scored five goals in five games last month, including a Boxing Day hat-trick against Dundee.

And he was quick to credit his team-mates, including regular strike partner Craig Curran, on picking up his monthly prize.

"I'm not the quickest and Craig can cover the ground," he said.

"We both hold the ball up well and we both like to get in the box and we work off each other.

"We've got players on the wings who can make things happen so we know when the ball is out there our job is to get in the box and try to get a yard."