St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright believes Murray Davidson has been unlucky to cross the suspension threshold twice in one season.
The Perth midfielder, who will miss the first two games after the split, has been given 17 yellow cards in all competitions and 13 in the league.
However, Wright can recall a number of them that were in the “soft” category.
“Murray is suspended for the first two games after the split,” he said.
“On the plus side it gets it out of the way but it is disappointing.
“I actually feel he has picked up quite a few soft bookings this season. Against Motherwell I think it was for his first foul in the game.
“That took it to 13 for the season but it didn’t really matter because 12 already had him marked down for a suspension anyway.”
Wright added: “Of course there are times when Murray quite rightly gets booking. It is inevitable given his style of play.
“But there have been occasions when referees have warned a couple of players and then brought out the book for the next foul. I can think of a few times when Murray has just been unlucky.
Zander Clark’s two-game ban for the Dens Park touchline incident has now been served.
