St Johnstone club captain Dave Mackay has needed a couple of injections as he continues his recuperation from a second hip operation.
Perth boss Tommy Wright is hoping that it will only be a slight set-back for the defender.
“Dave Mackay went for an injection last week and will have a follow up one this week,” Wright reported. “Hopefully he will be able to increase his workload after that.
“There is a little concern for him but this can happen when you have such major surgery. We want him back as soon as possible.”
Saints play Bradford City in a McDiarmid Park friendly tonight, and Wright will make some changes from the team which defeated Elgin City in their Betfred Cup opener at the weekend.
“I’ll have a few younger players coming in on Tuesday,” he said. “But the team will be strong.
“Alan Mannus will play, Tam Scobbie, Brad McKay and Paul Paton will get a game and Chris Kane too. All first team players. One of our younger players might even start.
“With only three subs in the competitive games, it’s important to get this game in.”
Wright added: “Saturday will be too early for Murray Davidson. Michael Coulson felt his thigh on Thursday but I don’t think it’s anything serious and he might have a chance for Saturday.
“From the Elgin game Keith Watson took a knock but we’ll just take him out of the Bradford friendly. Danny Swanson was a bit tight but again he’ll be fine.
“David Wotherspoon is training away but can’t do any contact stuff. Once we get the lighter cast on him he’ll be able to join in and play games.
“He will be ruled out until, hopefully, the first game of the season against Aberdeen.”
There were some cup shocks at the weekend but Wright was pleased with the attitude of his players in making sure their game wasn’t one of them.
He said: “We’re treating it as four cup ties and not as being part of a league. We’re going in to win every game.
“We don’t want to rely on other people and being one of the four best second-placed teams. At this stage of the season you can get surprising results, but our performance made sure that didn’t happen.”
