St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson has a good chance of returning for tomorrow’s Tayside derby against Dundee.
An injection to the former Livingston man’s hip seems to be having a positive effect and manager Tommy Wright reported he has returned to training.
Chris Millar and Chris Kane are both definitely out, while Steven Anderson is a doubt.
“Murray has done some training this week so I am hopeful for him,” said Wright. “Ando also has a chance of making it but Chris Millar is out with his right hamstring, which is frustrating for the player and for us.
“Chris Kane is missing as well. He has seen a specialist and he will be out for up to eight weeks from the date he picked up the injury – so hopefully we will get him back before the season ends.
“He hasn’t missed many games so we don’t know if he is a quick healer. It is an unfortunate injury. He landed awkwardly on his knee and it is in an awkward spot between the ligament and the tendon. It is more the position than the severity which is the issue.
“That means it takes longer to recover. But if it had been more severe he’d have needed an operation. So it is a mixed bag.
“At this stage of the season you expect to have injuries and suspensions. We have handled it before. It wouldn’t be fair on the squad to make excuses about people being missing. It is strong enough to handle it.”
Wright is keen to see front-foot football from his team as they seek to improve their McDiarmid Park fortunes.
“I just hope the St Johnstone I know turns up, starts the game in a positive manner and takes the game to Dundee,” he said.
“Starting games slowly at home has been a problem for us. It is always difficult to raise your game from a slow start. It gives the opposition a lift and a foothold in the game. We have to get back to doing the basics well at home.
“I thought about giving them a blast before the game instead of at half-time but that would do my health no good.
“There’s a frustration from the players and myself that there has been a missed opportunity in terms of taking advantage of the run Hearts have been on. We haven’t been able to capitalise on that. But at the same time I’m sure they will be thinking St Johnstone have dropped points in the last couple of games and they haven’t pulled away from us. That is just the league we are in.
“Our home form has been patchy and we can’t dispute that. Some of the performances have been good. But with the defeats it has been the performance rather than the actual loss that has been infuriating.
“We have to get back to making things happen for us at home.”
Wright added: “I have seen a bit of Dundee. Outside the top two everyone has been a mixed bag, ourselves included, particularly where our home form is concerned.
“Everyone is capable of beating everyone else and going on little runs. They will be disappointed at losing to Partick. They will see this as an opportunity to close the gap while we see it as a chance to extend it to 10 points. That would make it extremely difficult for them to get above us.
“So it is a big game for both clubs.”