Wright eyes knock-outs as Shaughnessy sees Saints nearing peak fitness

0 Tommy Wright: Top spot.

BRECHIN V ST JOHNSTONE

Tommy Wright hopes St Johnstone can wrap up their place in the last 16 of the Betfredcupatbrechintonight.

The Perth outfit produced an impressive display when defeating Falkirk 3-0 on Saturday and sit top of Group B, three points ahead of the Bairns.

Wright reckons victory at Glebe Park will book his team a slot in the knock-out rounds.

He said: “We’re in a really good position and hopefully one more win should get us top place.

“We will go to Brechin looking to put on another solid performance after beating Falkirk, looking to get the win we need.”

Defender Joe Shaughnessy has been satisfied with Saints’ start to the new campaign but reckons they will be on top form by the time their opening Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Aberdeen comes around on 7 August.

He said: “We seem to be getting better and better with every match. We should be at our peak fitness by the time we come to our first league game.

“Brechin will be another tough game on Tuesday but we have just got to treat it as any other game and get the result.”

Skipper Dave Mckay (hip), Ally Gilchrist (pelvis) and David Wotherspoon (wrist) remain out of action but midfielder Murray Davidson should feature against Brechin. thought made him a bit different from Las [Keith Lasley] and Carl Mchugh.

“It was a shame for the boy because when he has been running in training he has been right up the front. He is a fit lad, he has not suddenly gone into a game and it’s been too much for him. We use all the GPS stuff and his times and distances are right up there, so it was a surprise when he got injured.

“We will just see how he recovers now and do the best we can to get him fit quickly and give him another chance.”

Louis Moult scored twice at Galabank but he will undergo groin surgery before East Stirlingshire visit Fir Park tonight. Scott Mcdonald is set to take his place after missing the Annan game with a tight hamstring, but fellow striker Jacob Blyth (Achilles) remains out.