Building up Guy Melamed’s match sharpness isn’t going to be straightforward for St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson.
But the Perth boss is convinced that his deadline day signing will be worth the wait.
The Israeli striker saw action for the first time in Saturday’s Betfred Cup group decider at Peterhead.
Davidson liked what he saw in the match and the same has been true on the training ground.
But the usual way of increasing workload isn’t open to him, as it would have been in normal seasons.
“It is difficult getting game-time into players like Guy because the squad isn’t big enough to arrange friendlies,” Davidson explained.
“And we could only play against tested clubs anyway.
“It is probably holding back Guy a little bit but you can see he is starting to get fit and strong.
“I am pleased with his progression every time I see him on the training pitch.
“Peterhead away in a howling gale coming off the North Sea was probably an eye-opener for him coming into Scottish football!
“But it was great for him to be involved with the players.
“You can train all you want but it is important to get him into games.”
Once we get him up to speed we will see him banging some goals in.
Davidson added: “Guy is a clever player with his movement and the way he takes the ball in.
“He knows how to find space and his finishing in training is excellent.
“Once we get him up to speed hopefully we will see him banging some goals in.
“But Stevie May and Chris Kane scored and Callum Hendry played well when he came on so there is good competition up front.”
Meanwhile, Davidson will be keeping his fingers crossed that Ali McCann and Danny McNamara return from international duty injury and coronavirus-free.
“Danny was starting for the Republic under-21s which was great for him and obviously Ali has been with Northern Ireland,” he said.
“There have been instances of players catching Covid while they’ve been involved with international games.
“Hopefully they don’t have any issues and are available for Saturday. We’ll see how they are physically on Friday.”
Davidson believes the fact that both have seen action for their countries will be a benefit in Saints’ weekend clash with Motherwell.
“The last time Ali was away he was just training and didn’t get involved in the three games,” he said.
“I’m delighted both of them will have played games this time.
“The players that came in for the Betfred Cup did very well so there is competition there.”
