Danny Swanson has been backed to star at St Johnstone this year despite a court being told he could be off to America.
The Perth winger missed his side’s opening pre-season draw against Glentoran in Belfast on Wednesday as he was up before a sheriff in Edinburgh and later fined £900 for his part in a city centre pub fight.
Swanson joined up with his Saints team-mates yesterday in Northern Ireland and is set to face Linfield tomorrow at Windsor Park.
And McDiarmid Park boss Tommy Wright is eager to get a fully-fit and focused Swanson back on the park.
During the trial it was argued by lawyers that a conviction against the 32-year-old could jeopardise a move to America that was in the pipeline.
But with a year of his Saints deal to run, Wright wants the player in Scotland.
“He’s staying here,” said the Northern Irishman.
“Unless an MLS side comes in with a £500,000 bid he’s going nowhere.
“I want to get Danny back showing his best form – the sort of form he showed during his first and second spells with the club.
“He’s a terrific lad and a player who can open up a game with one pass, one piece of magic.
“He’s worked really hard this summer. Danny will play against Linfield and I look forward to getting him back as I know the whole court case had been a cloud hanging over him.”
Former Ajax defender Danzell Gravenberch is aiming to win a move to Saints.
The powerful stopper played for 45 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Glentoran and made a good first impression with his strength and skill on the ball.
Gravenberch spent 11 years at the Ajax academy from the age of eight and helped Holland’s Under 17’s become European champions in 2012.
After leaving Ajax in search of first team football, Gravenberch spent time with Romanian side Cluj and Dutch outfit Dordrecht before penning a three-year deal at Reading. He spent two years out on loan to Belgian side Roeselare prior to being released in June.
Tyler Garratt – a full-back available on a free after leaving Doncaster Rovers – is another trialist hoping to impress Saints.
Meanwhile, Wright is praying for good news on winger Matty Kennedy’s injury after the swelling goes down on his damaged right leg.
Kennedy was clobbered just 13 minutes into the Glentoran clash and left the Oval Showgrounds on crutches.
The Saints manager added: “It wasn’t a vicious tackle, but it was a late one and we should have been given a penalty.
“Once the swelling eases up we’ll have a better idea. Hopefully it’s just an impact injury, a dead leg. In terms of a timescale we hope that it might only be a couple of weeks. We’ll have a better idea over the next couple of days.”
