Ali’s groin a concern for boss Davidson

St Johnstone boss Callum Da Davidson has his fingers cro crossed that Ali Crawford will no not be sidelined for too long.

The midfielder, on loan fro from Bolton, impressed again du during Saturday afternoon’s 33-1 victory against local rivals Du Dundee.

But he was forced off in the se second half after hitting the tu turf and the early indications ar are that Saints are dealing with a torn groin.

“We think Ali has torn his groin, so we will have to wait on it settling down before we know how long it’s likely to keep him out for,” Davidson said. “It’s really disappointing because he’s been excellent since he joined us.

“He stepped in at the right time when Craig Bryson, Cammy MacPherson and Murray Davidson were missing, despite not having played much. And I felt he was getting better and better. So hopefully he won’t be out for too long.”

The comfortable win over Dundee was the perfect way for Saints to enter the international break.

Mi d f i e l d e r D a v i d Wotherspoon, who played the full 90 minutes, is now preparing to represent Canada in big World Cup qualifiers.

But he will miss Thursday’s game against Mexico in the famous Azteca arena and will instead meet up with the team for the match with Jamaica on Sunday.

Perth boss Davidson explained: “David won’t be going to Mexico with Canada this week because they can’t guarantee he wouldn’t have to isolate for 10 days when he comes back.

“It’s disappointing for him because it would be a great experience.

“It’s a strange one because he’ll be travelling in the bubble with the Canadian team, but for David you have to weigh up the pros and cons.

“You have to get put in a bespoke hotel when you come back for 10 days.

“When I said to him we could put him up in Gleneagles he jumped at that but I don’t think our budget stretches that far!

“He will fly out on Wednesday for their game against Jamaica instead.”