Keith Watson will make his comeback for St Johnstone in an under-20s match tonight.
But manager Tommy Wright won’t be rushing the defender into first team action before he’s ready.
A hip injury has sidelined the former Dundee United and St Mirren man for the best part of two months but Wright has been happy with Watson’s progress in training over the last few days and he’ll feature this evening against Ross County at McDiarmid Park, with new signing Joe Gormley another possible starter.
“Keith Watson and Ally Gilchrist are both back in full training and will take part in the under-20s match with Ross County on Tuesday night,” he said.
“We have got to make sure we are careful with Keith as Richard Foster is cup tied for the League Cup, which is still a wee bit away.
“There is a chance he will be in the weekend squad. But if it means waiting another week we will do that.
“Gilchrist is coming back from groin surgery and looking to kick on.”
Two other men who have benefitted from the international break are midfield duo Murray Davidson and Chris Millar.
Wright explained: “Chris and Murray weren’t really 100% at Inverness before the break.
“Murray had only trained for one day with an ankle knock. They will both be in contention for starts against Partick.”
Deadline day loan signing Gormley has made a good first impression with his new club.
“I was happy with the squad before the deadline but it’s good getting Joe on board,” Wright said. “It gives the place a lift and shows we aren’t lacking ambition.
“He has looked sharp in training and he might also get a run out in the under-20s game. We will see how he does in training and make a decision from there.
“He has played some football this season and he will definitely be in the squad for Saturday.”
Saints finished the pre-break matches on a frustrating note by conceding a late winner to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
But Wright doesn’t believe that conclusions can be reached about Premiership positions this early in the season.
He said: “Every manager can say they want more and I am no different. I still feel we should have got a point at Inverness.
“It has been a difficult start for us because we played top six sides from last season like Aberdeen, Hearts in the Betfred Cup, Motherwell and Celtic. Inverness is never an easy place to go.
“We are in the quarter finals of the cup and it’s early days for looking at the league table. It’s really only after the first quarter that things begin to take shape.”
