St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has conceded he may have to dip into the transfer market in January if crocked striker Steven MacLean is sidelined for a protracted period of time.
MacLean was due to undergo knee surgery which is expected to keep him out for at least three months, although medics should have a better idea of the recovery time required in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Wright was able to bring Bosnian defender Sanel Jahic in as cover after centre-half Steven Anderson dislocated his thumb, and the Saints boss has not ruled out recruiting another new face if MacLean’s prognosis is worse than feared.
“Nigel Hasselbaink and Stevie May are doing well, we’ve got Rory Fallon there, young Chris Kane as well, so we’ve got options,” he told Courier Sport.
“But I think if it was going to be any longer than maybe the three months then we’ll maybe have to look at it.
“Steven has had his operation and obviously we’ll have a clearer picture in the next 24 hours and get a more definite timescale on how long he’s likely to be missing.
“It’s not the ligament, it’s just a bit of bone damage that needs repaired, so recovery time will depend on how much needs done when they go in.
“That’s a wee bit of an unknown but the consultant did indicate a minimum of three months, so it’s a disappointment for the player.
“But it’s part and parcel of football and there’s not a lot we can do about it. We just have to get on with it.”
Wright will again look to flourishing forward duo May and Hasselbaink against Kilmarnock this weekend but revealed plans to potentially let in-form under-20s striker Chris Kane go out on loan have now been shelved.