Brian Easton will need to play in one of St Johnstone’s two remaining pre-season friendlies if he is to have a chance of facing FK Trakai in the Europa League opener.
Manager Tommy Wright is optimistic that an injection to the full-back’s knee will have the desired effect, and the fact that the first leg of the first round qualifier is on Perth grass rather than the Lithuanian artificial surface will help his cause.
But Wright will not throw Easton in without any game-time under his belt – either against Rangers today or, more likely, Connah’s Quay at the weekend.
“He’ll have to play,” said the Perth boss.
“Easty has had an injection. The fact that the first game is at home on grass will probably help him. It would have been a big risk to play him on astro so soon after taking an injection.
“Hopefully he can get some game time at the weekend. I am hoping he is going to be fit for Europe.”
Whether or not Easton is available next Thursday, Wright still believes he needs “natural left-back” cover for the former Hamilton, Burnley and Dundee man in the wake of Tam Scobbie’s departure.
“Defensively the plan was to have one or two of the younger ones out on loan,” he said.
“People might say we have eight defenders but Keith Watson is on the transfer list and I have really only got four senior defenders. The plan was always to have five, backed up by younger lads.
“I think we need to get a defender in. There is no questioning the ability of the youngsters but we need a natural left-back.
“I know Richard Foster can play there but that means playing four right footers across the line. I wouldn’t be keen on that for any length of time.
“We have Scott Tanser in for the week to have a look at him.”
Ex-Kilmarnock forward James Dayton is still on trial, with Wright set to make up his mind on that front sooner rather than later.
The main priority, though, was securing Stefan Scougall in time for Thursday’s season opener.
“It was no secret I was targeting Stefan for Europe,” he said. “I wanted him signed.
“We are still looking at other signings. But I am not anticipating anyone other than maybe a left back coming in before Europe.
“We have a list of registered players in with Uefa but we can make one change before next week.
“Dayton has done well and you can see the quality he has got. The likelihood is that I will make a decision on him towards the end of this week.
“We will be mixing things up in these games and James will get game-time against TNS and Rangers. It’s unfair to keep people hanging on so a decision will be made one way or another by the end of the week.
“There will be less money available if we hear something positive in the way of players we are looking at. So that also has a bearing.
“I have to be careful I don’t jump in too early because I do have a couple of targets in mind and they are probably a bit more expensive. But my aim is to strengthen the squad here.”
Saints faced TNS on Tuesday (a 3-0 win), with a game against Rangers taking place today, then Connah’s Quay on Saturday.
Wright said: “The main thing for us is fitness. The results aren’t important at this stage.
“The focus is all on preparing for next week.
“The problem is that it is difficult getting games at this time of year so it is great that the Scottish clubs are helping each other prepare.
“Going to Murray Park I might play a team for an hour and change it for 30 minutes.
“It is great getting two games at Murray Park because we know it is a good surface. And we are delighted Rangers are giving us the use of their facilities for the Connah’s Quay game as well.”
