St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright not only wants to secure qualification for the knock-out stages of the Betfred Cup.
He wants to make sure the Perth men are seeded for the last 16.
Saints can make sure they are in the hat if they see off league One Brechin City at Glebe Park tonight, and maintaining their 100% record could have another added benefit.
“I’ll make a couple of changes but they won’t be wholesale because we want to win the group,” Wright said. “And we want to finish as one of the four best group winners.
“That gets you seeding for the draw. You won’t be drawn against any of the four clubs who have been playing European football.
“I think one more win will guarantee that we’re through. It will give us nine points and our goal difference is better than the rest in the group.
“We’re going up to Brechin to win the game and get three points. Then we can possibly look at making more changes for Saturday’s game.”
Wright added: “Danny Swanson’s wife is having a baby today (Monday) so we’ll see whether or not we involve him against Brechin. The likelihood is that he will be on the bench.
“Michael Coulson’s wife is expecting a baby too but I think that is in another few days.”
The three penalty kicks were the main talking point after Saints’ win against Falkirk on Saturday, with the home performance perhaps being downplayed.
“I’ve watched the Falkirk game back and it was a solid performance,” Wright reflected. “It was professional but I think in the second half we could have played better. It wasn’t as flowing as it was in Elgin.
“But against good opposition it was a deserved win.”
Murray Davidson returns to the squad but Keith Watson’s thigh “niggle” is likely to keep him out until the weekend.
Wright said: “Dave Mackay had an injection on Thursday and needed five days’ rest. So he’ll start doing a bit of work and hopefully there is no reaction.
“David Wotherspoon sees the specialist this week. We’re hoping to get a lighter cast on his wrist to get him back. But if not we’ll be looking at Aberdeen for him.
“Ally Gilchrist has had an operation on his groin and can start jogging again this week. He will be about four or five weeks away.”
