Moore and McInnes played together at Rangers in the 1990s

Derek McInnes's chances of bringing Craig Moore to St Johnstone look to have improved now that the defender has been released by Brisbane Roar.

Moore, 34, has fallen out with coach Ange Postecoglou at the A-League side and the former Rangers and Newcastle player has now left the club.

The veteran is seeking a loan move to boost his chances of featuring in the 2010 World Cup with Australia.

McInnes is keen to bolster his injury-hit Saints defence.

Captain Kevin Rutkiewicz caught his studs in the turf at training earlier this month and is currently injured, while fellow defender Stuart McCaffrey has struggled with a groin strain, with Graham Gartland and Steven Anderson coming in to the Perth side in recent weeks.

Slovakian defender Roman Konecny was at McDiarmid Park for a trial but was unable to show McInnes what he could offer because frozen pitches ruled out any bounce matches.

McInnes will hope that his friendship with Moore from their days at Rangers will help to persuade the Australian to return to Scotland.

A statement by Brisbane Roar's chief executive Peter McLennan on the club website says: "During discussions with Craig over the past eight weeks he made it clear he was unhappy working under Ange Postecoglou at the club.

"On at least two occasions during that time Craig issued me with the ultimatum that either Ange went or he went.

"Clearly over recent weeks the club has begun to move in a new and exciting direction and the bottom line is that no individual is bigger than the club."

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