Wright SOS as injury list gets worse

INVERNESS ..... 3 ST J’ STONE ..... 1

TOMMY WRIGHT last night admitted he could make emergency signings amid growing concern over St Johnstone’s worsening injury-crisis.

Veteran defender Steven Anderson limped out of the friendly defeat in Inverness with an Achilles injury and looks certain to miss Tuesday’s Betfred Cup group opener away to Montrose.

The latest setback left Wright with just four fit defenders and only 14 fit outfield players.

The Saints boss, who criticised his team’s “schoolboy” defending in defeat to Caley Thistle, admits he may have to make emergency signings.

Wright said: “The most worrying thing is the type of goals we’re conceding, too easily. It was schoolboy defending. We’ve got to be more ruthless.

“In the attacking third, we didn’t take responsibility in good positions.

“Steven hurting his Achilles is a concern. That is us down to four fit defenders and 14 fit outfield players. Normally, I’d have put Richard Foster on but I didn’t want to risk another defender.

“At this stage, going into four games in two weeks, isn’t ideal. I’m hoping we can somehow get one or two defenders – very quickly if possible.”

After friendly draws with Aberdeen and Hearts, it was another solid showing for John Robertson’s Championship hopefuls.

Saints were on top for the first half hour but the Highlanders took a 35thminute lead when Jordan White fed Tom Walsh and the winger’s low cross was netted by James Keatings.

But five minutes into the second half, the Perth side levelled when Scott Tanser was brought down in the box by Harry Nicolson’s tug.

Tanser tucked away the penalty himself with ease.

Caley regained the lead after 66 minutes when Tom Walsh curled in a corner from the left and Nikolay Todorov thumped the net with a six-yard header.

Coll Donaldson rattled the bar before Matheus Machado hammered in the third with six minutes left.