Steven Anderson will have to defy medical opinion again to be available for St Johnstone’s match against Ross County at the weekend, Tommy Wright has revealed.
The central defender needed surgery to an ankle wound he sustained in Friday night’s Tayside derby, and has been told he will probably be out for between one week and two.
“He has to be doubtful for Saturday,” Tommy Wright reported. “It was a really nasty, deep cut.
“He had to stay in overnight and go into theatre so they could clean the wound and make sure there were no issues with the tendon or ligaments.
“We have been warned it is a seven to 14 day injury but we aren’t ruling him out because he has defied comeback schedules in the past. We will play it by ear.
“Everyone else came through the game without any concerns.”
Meanwhile, striker Graham Cummins, who has been the subject of transfer speculation in recent days, could be back soon.
Wright said: “I saw a report linking him with interest from clubs in England. But no one has been in contact with us about Graham.
“He was having a very good season before his injury but he is coming along nicely. He won’t be ready for Ross County but he could be back for the Hearts game.
“It’s a compliment if clubs are looking at our players. But we are looking to keep all our players here. We want to keep this squad together and don’t want to be losing anyone.”
Wright isn’t down-hearted about Saints’ winning run coming to an end against Dundee.
He explained: “Given our record going into the Dundee game some people might be thinking it was two points dropped but I view it as another point gained.
“Coming back from going behind again shows character and we can take a lot of positives from a game which fizzled out a bit late on because of the weather and the amount of rain that had fallen on the pitch.
“That is three games in a row we have bounced back in. But I have warned the lads they can’t keep getting away with it.
“It keeps out unbeaten run going. And now December is shaping up as a big month for us. We know we will need results to keep in touch with the teams above us and try to apply pressure to them.
“We are up at Ross County this weekend, then it’s Celtic and Hearts. Throw Aberdeen at New Year into the mix and we have a tough schedule looming.
“But we have to keep picking-up points to sustain our challenge for third place. They are all games we are looking forward to. We certainly believe we can take points from these matches.”