Savo and Hardie top cup worries

Jan 6 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MARTIN Hardie is shaping-up as St Johnstone’s biggest injury worry for the cup tie with Rangers.

The midfielder has sat out the last two league games in a bid to stake a claim for the January 13 clash.

And now he’s undergoing intensive treatment, in a repeat of the race against time to face Rangers back in April.

But yesterday manager Derek McInnes, who has fixed-up a closed doors game tomorrow against Dundee United, admitted Hardie is already rated doubtful for the cup game.

He said: “Martin has had problems with his back and pelvis. He has been undergoing treatment and has also rested up. But it turns out there are two separate problems. He also has a slight tear in his hamstring.

“He is looking at a week to 10 days now so he has to be doubtful for the Rangers game.”

Strikers Peter MacDonald and Stevie Milne are also battling to make the match.

Former Gers player MacDonald has been plagued by a calf injury and hopes to return to training later this week. Top scorer Milne, whose goals saw off Rangers in an historic 2006 League Cup win at Ibrox, would have missed the game at Ross County if it had gone ahead.

McInnes said: “Savo has a thigh problem and had to pull out of training last week. Hopefully it will respond to treatment and rest over the next few days.”

Midfielder Kevin Moon has had restricted opportunities to stake a claim this season and the highly regarded youngster is being sent south for more injections on his troublesome hip. Skipper Kevin James will resume training this week after an injury-plagued campaign.

Following Graham Gartland’s recruitment, new arrivals are unlikely but McInnes is chasing-up Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen to see if he intends to extend Paul Hanlon's loan through to the end of the season.

The manager said: “The agreement was that we would look against at the situation this month. It is coming to a head with the cup tie. We need to ask permission from Hibs to play Paul against Rangers.”

The McDiarmid manager has been impressed with Hanlon but needs an early heads-up from Easter Road. If the left-back is to be recalled McInnes wants time to work on other options, with stand-in Liam Craig earmarked for a midfield role next week.

With the Ross County game cancelled on Friday as Dingwall went into cold storage, the Perth camp was delighted to preserve a five-point advantage as Dunfermline lost at Dundee.

McInnes said: “The game being off was the last thing we wanted but everyone got early notice. It was disappointing because we wanted another game in before the cup tie.

“We asked Ross County if we could play it midweek but they wanted the full week to prepare for their own cup game.

“We have arranged a bounce game with Dundee United and all the first team squad players who are fit will get a run.

“Excitement is already starting to build but there’s a danger we will starting talking about their team too early. It’s important we work on fitness and sharpness.

“In terms of the league, obviously we’re happy to be five points ahead after the weekend.

“Results never surprise me in this division and there’s a long, long way to go. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.

“The Partick game following the cup tie is equally as important to us. But we have got that lead at the top and we will be looking to reinforce it in the coming weeks.”

Collin Samuel is fit again and is determined to get more game time in the push for the title.

The striker admitted: “It’s been stop-start for me and it was disappointing the weekend game was postponed because I was ready to play. It would be great to play in the cup against Rangers.”

He’s also hoping a regular start for Saints will boost his prospects of a recall to the Trinidad and Tobago World Cup squad. The next qualifier is away to El Salvador on February 11.