St Johnstone will take no chances with Graham Cummins’ fitness.
The Perth frontman has been out for several weeks with a hamstring injury and is now nearing a comeback.
That could happen in Saturday’s third v fourth clash with Hearts at McDiarmid Park, but manager Tommy Wright will hold him back for another week if he believes that the Irishman isn’t quite ready.
Cummins has been an instant hit at Saints after signing in the summer, and scored at Tynecastle on the opening day of the season.
And while he’s been recovering from the hamstring injury the former Preston man has signed a new contract.
“We have a decision to make on Graham for this weekend,” Wright admitted.
“Because it is muscle injury he has been out with and the pitches are heavy at this stage of the season we want to make sure he is ready.
“There is no way we will take a risk with him. That would be pointless. It could set him back if we get the timing wrong.
“Obviously we are keen to get Graham back in the squad and he is desperate to get going again, especially after signing a two year extension.
“But if he needs more time he will get it.
“He could be involved on Saturday against Hearts. We are ruling nothing out.
“But if not we will be looking at the Boxing Day game against Partick Thistle for a comeback.”