The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Trialist striker makes good first impression
ST JOHNSTONE: Wright given ‘food for thought’ by performance
Trialist striker Arthur Njo-Lea has given Tommy Wright “food for thought” after impressing in St Johnstone’s first pre-season friendly in Austria.
The Swiss frontman will continue training with the Perth squad to give Wright longer to assess him.
The Saints boss is keeping his options open, though, with other potential attacking recruits being considered.
“He showed up well,” said Wright. “He was quick and lively. “Considering he only arrived on the Thursday and didn’t know any of the lads, he can be pleased with his performance. “He’s certainly given us food for thought. “We’re looking at other targets as well. Hopefully we’ll have made one or two signings in the next couple of weeks.
“Dean (trialist keeper, Dean Lyness) did well, too, but we’ll take our time.”
Saints lost their closed-doors weekend game against Croatian side NK Osijek but the result was a long way down Wright’s list of priorities.
“It has to be put into perspective,” said the Northern Irishman.
“We were facing a quality team who are two weeks ahead of us. They are getting ready for the Europa League. They were way ahead in terms of match fitness.
“We did a double session the day before – probably our hardest of the trip. We actually trained after it as well.
“We got out of the game what we wanted.”
Trialist striker Arthur Njo-Lea has given Tommy Wright “food for thought” after impressing in St Johnstone’s first preseason friendly in Austria.
The Swiss frontman will continue training with the Perth squad to give Wright longer to assess him.
The Saints boss is keeping his options open, though, with other potential attacking recruits being considered.
“He showed up well,” said Wright. “He was quick and lively.
“Considering he only arrived on the Thursday and didn’t know any of the lads, he can be pleased with his performance.
“He’s certainly given us food for thought.
“We’re looking at other targets as well. Hopefully we’ll have made one or two signings in the next couple of weeks.
“Dean (trialist keeper, Dean Lyness) did well, too, but we’ll take our time.”
Saints lost their closed-doors weekend game against Croatian side NK Osijek but the result was a long way down Wright’s list of priorities.
“It has to be put into perspective,” said the Northern Irishman.
“We were facing a quality team who are two weeks ahead of us.
“They are getting ready for the Europa League. They were way ahead in terms of match fitness.
“We did a double session the day before – probably our hardest of the trip. We actually trained after it as well.
“We got out of the game what we wanted.
“There were a couple of goals that could have been avoided in the first half but we were better in the second half and created chances.
“There were definitely a lot more positives than negatives to take out of it.”
Saints return to Scotland tomorrow and the trip has ticked all the boxes Wright was hoping it would.
He said: “The location is stunning. The pitches are superb and the gym facilities are on the site. It’s exactly what we wanted.
“The lads have been working extremely hard.
“We’ve had a couple of niggles. Callum Hendry took a knock in the game and wasn’t able to train yesterday but we’re hopeful he’ll be back with us today or tomorrow.
“Kyle McClean has got a wee strain and might miss a few days’ training.”
Brian Easton is making good progress and a return to action may not be too far away.
Wright added: “Easty has joined in some of the sessions which is really pleasing.
“We’ll keep a close eye on him and hopefully he can step things up over the rest of the week.
“We won’t be rushing him but if all goes to plan there’s a closed-doors friendly against Bristol City’s U-23s that he might be able to take part in in a couple of weeks.”
There were definitely a lot more positives than negatives to take out of it. TOMMY WRIGHT