St Johnstone have signed Preston North End defender Clive Smith on loan until the summer.
The 19-year-old has joined Saints to provide cover after they were unable to bring Liam Gordon back from Peterhead.
Smith has been on the fringes of the Preston team but has yet to feature in the English Championship.
He will join Tommy Wright’s squad until the end of the season in the hope of making the breakthrough at McDiarmid Park.
Wright said: “I’m delighted to bring in a young defender for the rest of the season.
“It hadn’t been our plan but unfortunately Ally Gilchrist has had a significant setback and will undergo further surgery later this week.
“Having committed Liam Gordon and Aaron Comrie to Peterhead for further experience that leaves me with only six defenders for the rest of the campaign.
“Clive has come highly recommended and will be a good addition to the squad.”
