St Johnstone will turn to veteran Stevie Banks after first choice keeper Alan Mannus was ruled out for six weeks.
The x-ray to the Northern Ireland international’s shoulder has revealed a period of rest is required before he is able to start building strength in it again.
In-form Mannus was hurt in a collision late in Sunday’s clash with Kilmarnock, where he posted another clean sheet and had manager Tommy Wright describing him as among the best in the country.
Wright reported: “Alan damaged a shoulder joint at the weekend so we sent him for an X-ray. Initially I thought it was just a knock.
“But Alan knew there was a potential problem. This is very disappointing for Alan and the club. He has been told to keep the arm in a sling for the next 10 days and rest it completely.
“There is an international break early in September but he will still miss a string of big games. You don’t like to lose any player but Alan has been outstanding for us and I rate him among the top two keepers in Scotland. So it is a big blow.”
Banks (41) will be in goal for Saturday’s home clash with Ross County.
Youngster Zander Clark is also on the books.The former Hearts and Dundee United man is goalkeeping coach at McDiarmid but stressed in the summer he felt there was still life left in him as a top flight stopper.
Wright said: “I have no problems with putting Stevie in. He has been excellent in training, did well in a pre-season friendly at Dundee and he has the experience required to handle a situation like this.
“He is also going into a team which has been doing well and he has an experienced back four in front of him.”