St Johnstone midfielder Chris Millar is to sign a new two-year deal.
A few minor details have to be sorted out but the Scottish Cup hero is happy to pledge his future to Saints.
McDiarmid manager Tommy Wright described agreement as being “close” and Millar will join David Wotherspoon in committing himself to the club.
“We are looking to bring players in and at the same time renegotiating and extending contracts,” said Wright.
“Chris Millar is close, while David Wotherspoon signed his two-year extension recently and there are two or three others we are talking to.
“We would also like to get the younger lads at the club – like Chris Kane, Scott Brown and Liam Caddis – on longer contracts, which historically we haven’t done.
“That is important work but it would be going on regardless of whether or not the transfer window was open.”
Saints, who have just signed Spartan striker George Hunter and been linked with 21-year-old Hearts defender Brad McKay, are also checking out a trialist.
Wright confirmed: “We have a right-back trialist in to have a look at him.”
As for Hunter, he will have to wait before getting a taste of first-team football, with tomorrow’s home game against Partick Thistle coming too soon for him.
“George has trained really well this week but it will be too early for him to feature in the squad,” said Wright.
“He is someone I have high hopes for, without putting undue pressure on him.
“He hasn’t looked out of place and we moved quickly for him because he is a real talent.
“George was at Livingston but broke his leg and this move gives hope to players who have had setbacks in their career.
“Clubs always look for a diamond, someone who has been missed.
“Andy Robertson went away and found a level. Through playing for Queen’s Park he got himself recognised and got his move to Dundee United and then Hull City.
“You won’t get one every year but there might be one every three or four years.
“In my own career I didn’t go to England until I was 23.
“If you are strong-willed and keep believing then things can happen for you.
“It could end up being a settling in period for George but knowing what he is like I would imagine he will want to push for the first team.
“There is the loan option as I have Brian Graham, Steven MacLean, James McFadden, Chris Kane and even Michael O’Halloran who can all play up front.
“If we feel he has to go out on loan we can look at that but right now that isn’t in our plans.”
Brian Easton will be fit to face the Jags, while James McFadden is suspended.
The visit of Thistle is the start of an intensive period when Saints will play three times in six days – against Partick tomorrow, Inverness on Tuesday and then Aberdeen on Friday.
“It is tough but we know this happens at this time of year,” said Wright.
“Anyway, we have had a week off and that worked well for us.
“We have benefited form not playing Celtic because Dave Mackay has had an injection in his hip and that gave him time to recover.
“Also, Easton would have missed last week so the match being off was a positive for us.”
The challenge is to look up rather than at what is behind us.
“That’s what we have to do. We have had two disappointing results but we have lost just twice in 10 league games.”