St Johnstone midfielder Jamie Adams has been ruled out of action for around a fortnight with a torn hamstring.
The former Kilmarnock man will join Jody Morris, Michael Duberry, Sam Parkin and Kevin Moon on the sidelines for Saturday’s match against Hamilton Accies.
Manager Derek McInnes reported, “It happened during the Brechin match but we weren’t aware of it at the time. It was only discovered after Jamie said to the physio that he felt his hamstring was tight.”
McInnes also has a major doubt over attacker Danny Invincibile, who has suffered a back injury.
Striker Parkin will be travelling north to take in the match after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday, and his long rehabilitation begins next week.
Striker Jordan Robertson, who featured in a closed-doors game on Monday, will train with Saints for another week.
McInnes said, “Jordan is extending his stay so we can assess him and he can have a look at us.”
Both sides have a pressing need for a victory tomorrow, but for entirely different reasons.
Accies, who haven’t won at home in the SPL all season, have been cut adrift at the bottom and time is running out for them to claw their way back in touch with St Mirren.
For Saints’ part, it’s now or never if they are to stake a claim for a top six place.
McInnes said, “We still haven’t reached the points target I set the team at the start of the season.
“There are five games left before the split and to even have any hope of getting into the top half I believe we have to produce a couple of big results.”