The late transfer window signing that Tommy Wright had hoped to make didn’t materialise, but the St Johnstone boss believes the return of a familiar face to his squad will feel like a new addition.
Injury-plagued midfielder David Robertson is nearing a comeback for the under-20s, Wright revealed and he would have already made it but for a minor setback.
The former Dundee United man hasn’t played since a leg break against Hibs in November last year. And his pre-season comeback schedule was by stalled by bone bruising in a training session.
His contract runs out in January, and the clock is ticking for Robertson to press his claim for a longer term deal.
Wright said: “We had earmarked Tuesday’s under-20 game with Celtic for a return but that didn’t happen. Robbo suffered a wee setback with his groin. But hopefully we can get him going again next week.
“It will be like having a new player when we get Robbo up to speed after his leg break and then the bone bruising problem.
“He has been unfortunate in his time here. He hasn’t played a lot of football but Robbo is a proven player from his time at Dundee United. He did very well there.
“It will be a good boost for him to get a few under-20 games under his belt and it will add to the numbers I have available. He has had a tough time of it but he is the joker in the pack.
“He is bubbly and chatty but there have been times when we have had to give him a few days off because he was getting a bit down about it all.
“I know what he has been going through because at Notts Forest I was out for two and a half years. It is tough when you are out long term.
It can be hard coming in every day and not being able to join in. But the lads here have picked him up when needed.
“Maybe he was too keen to come back and prove his fitness when he got the bone bruising. But he was out of contract so he wanted to get back in there and get a new deal.
“Robbo was given a short term contract so he does still have time on his side to force his way back into the first team and potentially grab a new deal, which is what it is all about.
“But right now the important thing for Robbo is to get fit and get playing.”