Saints’ Chelsea boy awaits his call-up

Aug 15 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

JODY Morris might be one of St Johnstone’s smallest players, but he’s likely to have a huge influence on their title bid.

The pint-sized midfielder, who has a pedigree unrivalled in First Division football, is desperate to make a belated start to the season.

However, his chances of involvement in tomorrow’s home clash with Dunfermline were yesterday rated at just “50-50”.

Understandably, Saints manager Derek McInnes, who was responsible for luring and retaining the former Chelsea player north of the border, wants Morris to be fully recovered from the pre-season strain which ruled him out of the first two league games.

He is well aware Saints have enjoyed an impressive home record in recent seasons and is keen to welcome back the pocket dynamo as quickly as possible.

Saints have a gilt-edged chance to lay down a marker to alarm potential title contenders when they clash with the highly-fancied Fifers tomorrow, but it may be a little too soon for Morris.

But with or without the glamour signing on the McDiarmid turf tomorrow, McInnes realises how costly any early slip-ups can prove come the season’s business end.

“We have had a good record at McDiarmid in recent years and we have to maintain that if we have aspirations of achieving things this season. It has to continue,” he declared yesterday.

“Dunfermline have strengthened and they are a club with a proud tradition. We are both in the First Division through our own doing. But like us, they want back to the SPL.

“We started off with a clean sheet and a win against Livi and I’m looking for a similar outcome against Dunfermline.”

Striker Collin Samuel and defender Steven Anderson resumed training this week and could feature tomorrow.

While Morris is being given every chance to prove his fitness, his case for inclusion was still not looking the strongest yesterday on fitness grounds.

Stressing the player’s importance to his plans, McInnes said: “Jody brings quality and experience to the midfield so it would be great if he’s available.

“He had been on fire in pre-season before his injury.”

The midfielder’s decision to extend his stay at Perth beyond the initial short-term arrangement was met with a mixture of surprise and delight from fans.

McInnes said: “I was always hopeful that Jody would stay on. I knew he was enjoying himself here and when I was feeding him the notion of staying longer I wasn’t being rebuffed. In fact I was getting encouragement.

“The negotiations were quick once Jody had made up his mind. There was no haggling on his part. It’s a huge commitment from him. He has moved his wife, daughter and baby to Scotland.

“Jody is a game wee lad. He can certainly play and technically he’s as good as anyone I've worked with. But he also has a bit of bite, even a nasty streak to go out and win the tackles.”

Midfielder Liam Craig is available after suspension and Dan Smith could get another run as a trialist.

Alan Main is pressing Euan McLean for a starting jersey. McLean, however, was boosted by inclusion in Billy Stark’s U21 squad for the Euro Championships trip to Lithuania next week.

McInnes was also delighted to hear that last term’s top scorer, Andy Jackson, had been called up by the Republic of Ireland U21s for a trip to Austria.

It’s a step-up the ladder for the young centre. McInnes said: “It’s good for the players and good for the football club.”

But such is the strength in depth at McDiarmid that Jackson isn’t guaranteed a starting jersey against the Pars.

Last week, Stevie Milne bagged his first league goal in his first start in the Irn-Bru league and he’s hoping to retain his place.

“It was good to get off the mark so quickly even if I didn’t know much about the goal against Morton! I just put pressure on the defender and the ball ended up in the net.

“It’s not often I get lucky. I usually have to work hard for my goals.

“It was disappointing not to hold on and get all three points. We know draws, especially away from home, killed us last season.

“Dunfermline are likely to be title rivals although four or five teams could be scrapping it out. They are definitely a decent side and they will be strong.

“But we have had a great home record in my time with Saints and that has to continue this season.”

lSAINTS face Livingston away on Tuesday, August 26 in the Co-operative Insurance Cup. It’s a 7.45pm kick-off.