Saints to help Wright with injury

Wright continued: “Of course, the important thing is that Drey receives the best treatment available to get him back as soon as possible but there’s no doubt that it is hugely disappointing news for the player and the club.

“He’s made a real impact since joining us and he’s a player who has excited the supporters but as is the case in football we just have to deal with it and help him come back fitter and stronger.”

Meanwhile, Wright believes the time has come for the Scottish football authorities to tackle fixture congestion – and the might of the Champions League.

St Johnstone have a free weekend with planned opponents Celtic facing Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup final.

And that will mean a hectic period after the January break.

“It is stop start nowadays with the international breaks and we have also had the Celtic game cancelled,” said Wright.

“So when we come back in January we have to play five games in a fortnight, with Celtic twice in a few days.

“I know how difficult it is drawing up fixtures having been in at various meetings along with the other managers.

“There aren’t many free weeks left on the calendar so I am sympathetic to those involved.

“But I think we are at the stage where the authorities in Scotland have to fight for getting games played on Champions League nights, maybe after Christmas, to give us more flexibility to tackle a fixture problem we seem to have every year now.

“With international football and European matches, along with the Euros and World Cup years, there isn’t much wriggle room, especially if we get a bad winter.

“I have no doubt the authorities have asked the question but they have to keep going back to Uefa to get the green light to play our top flight games on Champions League nights.”