WRIGHT’S LATE FITNESS CALL ON MacLEAN

TOMMY WRIGHT insists he will have the final say on whether to include Steven MacLean against FK Trakai tonight after the veteran St Johnstone striker was cleared by his doctor to play on the Lithuanians’ plastic pitch. MacLean, 34, hasn’t featured on artificial surfaces in recent years after medics advised against it following two major knee operations. But he has travelled to Vilnius after indicating his desire to help rescue Saints’ Europa League campaign following last week’s 2-1 first-leg defeat at McDiarmid Park. Boss Wright (above) previously said there was no chance of that happening, but is now ready to leave it to the last minute before deciding whether to risk his talismanic forward. ‘Steven has come with us and we’ll take a look at the pitch,’ said Wright. ‘His doctor has said that, as a one-off, it would be okay for him to play. ‘He is desperate to play, but, at this stage, I haven’t changed my mind. We’ll wait until as late as possible before making our final decision.’ Wright is confident his side can produce a huge improvement on last week’s poor display in Perth. He said: ‘Our record away from home, domestically and in Europe, has been excellent, so that gives me great encouragement. ‘The only away defeat we’ve had in my time in Europe was the one in the heat of Armenia (against FC Alashkert). ‘But we have to improve. If we can be more clinical in front of goal, I have no doubt we can go through. ‘We didn’t know how strong Trakai would be because of the opposition we watched them against. We know now they’re a good side, but we believe we can do it.’