St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright says he will not gamble with midfielder Danny Swanson’s fitness.
The former Dundee United, Peterborough and Hearts playmaker has been the Perth outfit’s most impressive performer so far this season, with 12 goals from 19 starts.
But a hip injury kept him out of last weekend’s goalless draw at Aberdeen.
Wright says he will only risk the 29-year-old against Motherwell at McDiarmid Park on Saturday if he can be convinced that he is fully recovered.
He said: “Danny felt a slight problem with his hip in training last Thursday.
“We’re hopeful he will train today and tomorrow and then we’ll assess him before making a decision tomorrow afternoon.
“But ultimately with so many games in December we won’t take any risks with him. He has to be 100 per cent.
“If he was to miss this week, he would certainly be fit for Kilmarnock next week – but there is still every chance he could make Motherwell.”
The Saints boss is not worried about taking on Mark McGhee’s team without his star man after insisting St Johnstone are not a one-man team.
“I’m not really putting too much emphasis on one player,” he said. “Danny is important to us but all the players are important, because we’re very much a team.
“We got a good result last week at Aberdeen when he wasn’t in the team so we’re not a one-man team.
“I’d like him fit and all the others too, to give me the opportunity to pick the strongest side possible but we have enough to cover it.”
