Wright to give youth a chance

ST JOHNSTONE face Dundee at Dens Park tomorrow without seven injured first-team players and one suspended.

That means a first topteam call up for 16-year-old forward John Robertson.

The youngster joined the McDiarmid Park side 10 months ago fromTynecastle Boys’ Club and has been starring, and scoring, for the Development team.

S a i n t s b o s s To m my Wright said: “John has trained with the first-team squad all week and is in our squad to face Dundee.”

S h o u l d h e p l ay, the youngster will be one of the youngest players to appear in the Premiership as he is not 17 until August 26.

Forwards Chris Kane, Denny Johnstone, Callum Hendry and David McMillan are all out injured, as are defender Brian Easton and midfield men Stefan Scougall and Blair Alston.

Johnstone underwent knee surgery yesterday and, along with Alston and Kane, he won’t play again this season. Also out is the banned Murray Davidson.

Tommy added: “This has been a horrendous season for injuries but we have coped with it before and will do so again.”

The previous Dens meeting ended i n ugly scenes on the touchline.

However, Wright played down any simmering tensions between the clubs but admitted he has not spoken to his opposite number since.

“Everything has been sorted out. I think we have come out of it on the right side,” he said.

Regarding new signings and offers to players currently on t he staff, Wright continued: “We are speaking to players with regard to bringing them into the club and we have offered new deals to others.

“We are making inroads into getting our squad together for next season.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright.