French trialist Romain Habran will be given a chance to play his way into a St Johnstone deal in today’s closed-doors clash with Rangers.
The 23-year-old former Paris St Germain winger impressed during a second half cameo in the 3-0 weekend win over Sunderland.
Saints manager Tommy Wright is keen to inject pace to his frontline and Habran, who had been farmed out to Sochaux, Laval and Boulogne by PSG, could provide the answer.
As The Courier revealed last week, the attacker, who was capped five times by France at under-20 level, was recommended to Wright by his former Man City and Newcastle colleague Antoine Sibierski.
“I thought Romain came on and did well. He certainly showed he has pace and he worked hard,” said Wright.
“The game had gone a bit flat and his presence seemed to lift us a bit.
“Everything has been positive about him since he came in.
“I will take my time to assess the situation. But every day that he does well helps me make my mind up. But so far I have been very pleased with what I have seen.
“He will get a run against Rangers and we will give some of the young lads a game, including Aaron Comrie and Jason Kerr. Brian Easton should get some game time as well.”
After exiting the Europa League to Lithuanians FK Trakai, Wright is also stepping up moves to bring in a striker.
“We are still looking and shopping around,” he confirmed. “I have a few options in different markets and different level of wages.
“There is a loan I can get and I am hopeful of bringing in a more experienced front player, who will cost more money. Ultimately it will be dictated by finances but we will certainly be bringing someone in.”
Keeper Zander Clark suffered an injury scare in the win over Sunderland, after being rushed by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital for treatment to a head injury.
But while he will miss out on the Rangers game and a weekend home friendly with Hartlepool, Wright confirmed Clark escaped serious injury.
“Zander has concussion and is a bit stiff around the neck area,” he reported. “We got him scanned as a precaution but luckily there was no serious damage.
“It’s a relief it wasn’t anything more serious. He is out for a week because of the concussion and hopefully the stiffness will ease off over the next few days.”
Wright was delighted with his players’ attitude against a Sunderland side relegated from the English top tier last season, with goals from Steven MacLean and a brace from David Wotherspoon.
He said: “It was the perfect response from the players at the weekend. They have been training really well and there’s no hangover from Europe here. We have all moved on quickly.
“It was a really good team performance. Our passing was excellent. The intensity may have gone out of the game in the second half but there were plenty of positives.
“David Wotherspoon’s second was a wonderful goal, superb pass and move football and a fantastic finish. He has that in his locker. If it had been a competitive game we’d have seen it countless times on the television.
“It was a good win. Sunderland might not have played competitive games but it was their fourth or fifth friendly.
“I look at the quality of player in their squad, with Premier League experience. For us to come out on top was excellent but we won’t get carried away with it.”
