Rory Fallon has struggled to claim a place in the St Johnstone team, but that hasn’t stopped him having a shot at playing in the World Cup in the summer.
The New Zealander is likely to be selected to play for his country in a two-leg play-off with Mexico next month, with the winner going to Brazil.
Fallon has been a regular squad member for a number of years and has been capped 15 times for the All Whites.
Lack of first team action at McDiarmid Park hasn’t cost him on the international front as he played in a friendly last week against Trinidad and Tobago.
Things are also looking up back in Scotland, as Fallon came off the bench to score what looked like being a late equaliser against St Mirren, only for Saints to be denied by an even later Buddies’ winner.
From a personal point of view though, Fallon may soon find first-team appearances becoming more regular, as Steven MacLean is likely to be out for several weeks with a knee injury.
Manager Tommy Wright is hoping his goal at Paisley and the target of making it to Brazil will spur him on in the coming weeks. He said: “Rory’s come here and hasn’t had many opportunities simply because of the system we sometimes play.
“He was a bit behind the other lads fitness-wise when he came here as well, but the main reason he hasn’t played more is the form of Stevie May and Steven MacLean.
“Rory’s been patient, and it was good he got some game time away with New Zealand. I was pleased that he got his goal (against St Mirren).
“Hopefully it will give him a wee lift and he can push for a starting place. He’s a great pro.
“He’s come and seen me about the situation. I’ve explained it to him, he accepted it, and he’s gone away and worked hard.
“He’s got a physical presence and he’s a better player tactically than people give him credit for.”
Wight added: “He’s waited for his opportunity, and that might come now. To get to a World Cup is all the motivation he needs.
“Even with not having played much over here he’s still made their squad, so obviously the manager rates him. He played against Trinidad and Tobago last week, so he’s there or thereabouts.”
Meanwhile, Murray Davidson should be available on Sunday. He rolled his ankle in training last week so didn’t make the match day squad on Saturday, although he has since returned to training.