St Johnstone strikers Peter MacDonald and Andy Jackson have been given new six-month contracts with the Perth club but midfielders Martin Hardie and Jennison Myrie-Williams have been released.
Under instructions from chairman Geoff Brown to trim his first-team squad, manager Derek McInnes has also told Steven Milne and Scott Dobie that they will be let go if they can agree deals with other clubs.
The Perth boss hopes that with players heading out of McDiarmid Park there will be scope for him to make some short-term signings.
McInnes said, “Peaso and Jacko have signed new six-month deals and we’ll be looking for both of them to make an impact in the second half of the season and, if all goes well, that could mean them staying longer.
“I feel there are goals in both of them. Andy is determined to improve and Peaso has worked really hard to get himself fit.”
He added, “Martin will continue to receive treatment with us until he is fully fit.
“We were hoping he would come back from his loan at Partick and make an impact but he picked up another injury and it was unfortunate timing.
“He’s served the club really well over the last few years and we wish him all the best, as we do Jeno.”
McInnes said, “Our squad is going to have to be reduced and I’ve told Steven Milne and Scott Dobie that they can leave as well.
“The chairman wants to cut the numbers here.”A Sainted decadeThis latest contract for MacDonald will take his stay in Perth to 10 years some four years more than the next longest serving Saint, Steven Anderson.
The former Rangers man doesn’t want to see his St Johnstone career end there and views this six-month deal as an opportunity to win a longer one in the summer.
The chance to reward his manager’s faith will hopefully begin against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.
MacDonald said, “I’m really happy to be staying and it’s a real boost to know I’m still part of the gaffer’s plans.
“I started against St Mirren and felt sharp but for tactical reasons the manager left me out against Celtic, which I understood. I want to get back in on Sunday and hopefully start scoring again.”
He added, “I can honestly say that only the injuries have got me down in my time here. I’ve never had a fall-out with any of the managers I’ve played under at the club.
“I’ve loved my time here and if I can stay for longer than these six months I’ll be a happy man.”
It has been seven weeks since Saints last played at home and if the McDiarmid pitch is playable and the car park is ice-free the challenge for them will be ending Caley Thistle’s unbeaten away run, which stretches back to November last year.
“It’s not a case of us wanting to be the team who wants to stop their run, it’s a case of us wanting three points for our own good,” McInnes said.
“I’ve got huge respect for what they’ve achieved. To have gone to so many tough venues in the first division and then the SPL is a real credit to them.”
He added, “It shows the spirit and enthusiasm they have in their squad but Inverness will be facing a determined St Johnstone team.”
Midfield pair Jody Morris and Jamie Adams will return from suspension, while Murray Davidson should also be available.