St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright has revealed that a lean, mean Lee Croft is on the verge of working his way into his starting XI.
The winger returned for his second spell at McDiarmid Park at the end of November, but was not fully fit after a possible summer move to Millwall fell through.
Since rejoining Saints, the former Manchester City, Derby and Oldham player has been putting in the hard yards in training and came off the bench against St Mirren at the weekend.
His manager now believes the player is edging closer to winning a starting berth, possibly against SPFL bottom side Hearts at home on Saturday.
Wright said: “Crofty is looking much fitter and sharper. He’s lost a stone in weight in the last few weeks because he’s been working so hard to get back into shape.
“He’s getting the benefits from that and he’s ready to start games for me now. The danger was that because he wasn’t fit he could break down and pick up injuries.
“But he’s got that fitness now and you have to give him credit because he’s worked so hard. He’s put in the hours and now it’s the minutes on the pitch he needs. I have no worries about starting him now.
“He can be a big player for us because he’s got great technique, can go past people and can deliver real quality from the wide areas.
“Getting him on the park will be a real bonus.”