Erik Cikos says Ross County return will help him regain Slovakia place

Ross County full-back Erik Cikos believes his return to the club will help him regain his place in the Slovakia national squad.

The 27-year-old, who was previously with County between January and May 2014, was signed by manager Jim McIntyre earlier this summer.

He joins other new arrivals Kenny van der Weg, Christopher Routis, Aaron McCarey and Jay McEveley as the League Cup holders build for the new campaign.

Cikos earned two caps on the strength of his performances with the Staggies, and he now hopes he can return to international duty with Slovakia, who are in the same World Cup qualifying group as Gordon Strachan's Scotland.

"The chance to recapture my place in the national team, without a doubt, is the biggest reason I wanted to come back to Scotland," Cikos said in the Press & Journal.

"It is something I feel I can achieve and I'm determined to do it.

"If I can do well, and help the club do well, in Scotland's top league, it will be a big opportunity to break back into the national team.

"There is a much bigger chance of me doing that by playing in Scotland than in Slovakia. It will not be easy because Slovakia are doing much better than in years before.

"There is a lot of young talent coming through into the national side, as you saw at Euro 2016.

"So for me to get the chance to play abroad again and in Scotland's top league, is a terrific opportunity.

"If I can win back my place, Scotland are one of Slovakia's World Cup qualifying opponents. I'm sure the manager and the Scottish players here will let me know how they feel about it.