Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Alston likely to return to squad
FOLLOWING a spell out injured, Blair Alston could be back in the St Johnstone squad for Saturday’s away game against Hearts at Murrayfield.
He played the first half of Saints’ 3-2 home U/20 loss against Ross County last night.
Alston opened the scoring for the home side in three minutes when a clearance by County keeper Ross Munro rebounded off him and into the net.
An own goal by Kyle Johnson counted for Saints’ second with former Dundee United player Ryan Dow scoring t wice and Johnson once for County.
Saints team boss Tommy Wright confirmed that former Falkirk midfield man Alston came through the game all right and he is set to be in the squad to face Hearts.
Paul Paton has been suffering from illness and will be assessed nearer kick-off time.
Brian Easton suffered a knee knock against Rangers but should be OK for Murrayfield.
He sustained it in the first half but played on until the end of the match.
The Perth men are minus the suspended Richard Foster and Steven Anderson for the Hearts game but their bans are up by the time Ross County visit on Tuesday.
Michael O’Halloran is set to return for Saints against Hearts.
Injury and the fact he can’t play against his parent club, Rangers, while on loan at Saints, have kept him out of recent line-ups.
“Michael is OK and looking good,” said Tommy who confirmed the former Bolton forward will be in his plans for Saturday.
Meanwhile, ex-Saint Gregory Tade has got off the mark for his latest club, Israeli side Maccabi Petah Tikva. He netted on his league debut.