KANEPLAYSTHE WAITINGGAME
Boss targets post-split fixtures as injuries delay comeback
Saints Fans Supporting Foodbanks will hold its second collection ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership match against Ross County at Mcdiarmid Park.
Fans of both teams are invited to drop off items in front of the Ormond Stand any time between 1.30pm and 2.50pm.
St Johnstone striker Chris Kane has suffered another injury setback.
But manager Callum Davidson still hopes the double cup-winner will be back in the running for postsplit fixtures.
Kane, influential for Saints in their 2021 season of success, has not played a competitive game in 14 months – the majority because of a knee injury.
He has also been dealt a couple of blows which have hindered progress more recently, including a thigh problem and now a calf issue.
“Unfortunately for Chris we need to reset his target dates, which is frustrating for him,” manager Callum Davidson said this week.
“We need to get him back on the training pitch – as we did before – then hopefully he doesn’t pick up any more wee niggles.
“We can target the split. His calf injury is not a bad one. It’s just trying to get his training load right.
“We would love to see him back out on the pitch with the first team because he has been a big miss for the last 14 months.
“He was a key player for us and hopefully he gets up to speed quickly.
It is important for him for next season too.”
Davidson added: “It has been tough for Chris. He works extremely hard.
“We thought he was struggling, then he was out playing a friendly against Arbroath but then he hurt his thigh and now his calf. “We just need to make sure he is ready to train and play games. It will be a big bonus to get him back. We have definitely missed him.
“He was a really important player before he got injured. He was instrumental in the two cup wins.”
Pictured below are members of Dunkeld and Birnam Golf Club on the opening day of the 2023 season.
The flag was raised by club vice president Sandy Keay, assisted by ladies’ captain Cara Maclean and club captain Wattie Barbour.
Davidson, meanwhile, has his sights set on opening up an 11-point gap on second-frombottom Ross County at Mcdiarmid Park tomorrow.
The playing surface in Perth at the moment is not conducive to a neat passing and close control dribbling game, he admits.
“The pitch hasn’t helped us,” he said. “We need to maybe change our style of play a little bit on the surface.
“It is not going to be a great passing or dribbling surface for players. It is about doing certain things well and applying pressure.”
Supporters – and Davidson – are craving a victory to applaud at Mcdiarmid Park having watched only three at the Perth venue all season in the Scottish Premiership.
Davidson reiterated: “We need to start games well at home, help the crowd get into it and create atmosphere and pressure.
“I thought we created that at times against Aberdeen on Saturday. I showed the players the video from it and it is something we need to continue until the end of the season.”
On the squad front, Cammy Macpherson is back training but was rated as 50/50 for being fully fit for action. The same applies for midfield partner Dan Phillips who picked up a slight ankle knock during the international break but pushed through the pain barrier against the Dons.
Connor Mclennan comes back into contention after being unable to play against his parent club last weekend. Andy Considine is suspended.