St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright says defender Tam Scobbie is on the verge of making a long-awaited return to first team football.
While striker Steven MacLean returned to action following his knee injury ahead of schedule last month, Scobbie’s recovery time has been slightly longer after medial ligament damage in September threatened to wreck his season.
However, the 26-year-old’s comeback is very nearly complete, and Wright has suggested that Scobbie who hasn’t played since the 1-0 win at Motherwell at the end of August – could well come into contention for a starting slot soon.
“Tam has been on the bench recently but we didn’t want to risk him starting games,” he explained.
“That would have been pushing it at this stage of his recovery.
“But we are monitoring his progress day by day and he should get 70 or 80 minutes in a weekend bounce game.
“I know Steven MacLean has come back in and done well for us but he had a different type of injury and has a different level of fitness because of the work he has been able to do.
“Tam was always going to take longer to get back and he had a wee setback with a calf strain but the knee is fine.
“Now it is all about fitness.
“He is looking good but we have three games in six days coming up after the break this weekend and will have to rotate the squad again.”
Saints are hoping to organise a bounce game this weekend in the absence of a league fixture after Celtic’s decision to request a postponement last month.
So while the Hoops are sunning themselves in Gran Canaria, the Perth club will make do with staying at home although Wright reckons players like MacLean, who has only recently returned from a lengthy lay-off after knee surgery, will benefit from the break.
“Macca has put a lot of work in and he can recharge the batteries this week,” he continued.
“Brian Easton has had calf muscle trouble but he should be OK for the Partick game.”
Meanwhile, Wright has called on midfielder Murray Davidson to rediscover his early season form and press for a starting place again.
“Murray wasn’t on the bench against Accies because others have been doing better than him,” Wright concluded.
“He has to dig deep and get back to his old self.”