St Johnstone have taken advantage of their free weekend to head to Spain for a four-day warm weather training break.
The squad have flown out to the Costa del Sol and will be based in Marbella.
For the majority who are getting to the end of a long and arduous season, the emphasis will be on rest and recuperation, but for other fringe players who will have a part to play in the last five games there will be more work on the training ground.
The post-split matches will be played over a hectic 23 days, and manager Steve Lomas hopes the trip will recharge the batteries and give a boost to the Perth club’s bid for European qualification.
He said: ”We are taking the lads away for a few days. It’s a bit of a reward for their efforts in securing a top-six place but hopefully it will also act as a real incentive for the games which remain.
”We don’t have a match until we face Dundee United in the derby in Perth a week on Saturday so this will keep everyone together at a critical time of the season. That is the first game after the split and it is going to be huge.
”For the lads who have played the vast majority of the games there will be a chance to relax by the pool and play a game or two of golf. The idea is to keep them ticking over and keep them fresh after a long and demanding season.
”But others who have had less game time and who are expected to play a big part in the last five matches will put in a bit more work, and hopefully with some sun on their backs.
”We have picked up a few niggles and suspensions are starting to kick in at this stage of the season. So it’s important as many of the squad as possible are in good shape for the run-in.
”Obviously there are no guarantees in football but if this gives us an edge for the last five games then it will have been worth it.
”The lads were disappointed (after Saturday’s draw with Inverness Caley Thistle), particularly with their first-half performance. You’d have thought they were caught up in a relegation battle rather than going into fourth place in the SPL.”
Midfielders Liam Craig and Jody Morris are suspended for the United game, while winger Lee Croft will have a hamstring injury scanned today. Murray and Callum Davidson should both be fit though.
Jamie Adams returned to the bench after injury at the weekend.
Lomas said: ”Guys like Jamie, Kevin Moon, Davie Robertson, Jack Compton, Derek Riordan and others will all have parts to play. We need as many options as possible.
”The big worry we have right now is Lee Croft. He is getting a scan and it is a worry. He had mentioned a tightness in his hamstring before the game and in hindsight maybe I should have pulled him out. But I am a firm believer that a player knows his body best.
”It would be a blow if he was out for any length of time because his fitness has been improving and so have his performance levels.”
Riordan is staying at home to continue his mini pre-season.