DAVIDSON SWEATS OVER MURRAY CALL

ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson will not allow sentiment to influence his thinking when he makes the call on Murray Davidson’s fitness for Sunday’s Betfred Cup final. The long-serving midfielder suffered a setback after returning to training following a calf injury and is rated ‘50-50’ for the showdown with Livingston. Failing to recover would mean Davidson watching a second major showpiece from the stand, having been injured when Saints lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014. His manager is prepared to wait on his availability but stresses no chances can be taken with team selection as the Perth club aim for Hampden glory. ‘It’s a real difficult one,’ said boss Davidson. ‘I know Murray, played with Murray, but that doesn’t come into it at all. ‘I need to pick the best XI available to me. Who’s fittest?

Who’s strongest? Murray just has to try to convince me he is 100-per-cent right and we’ll take it from there. ‘That’s all I can do. Sentiment doesn’t come into it. I’ve got to pick a team I think will win the game first and foremost. ‘That might mean other players are a little bit annoyed they are not playing. ‘But I believe in what we’re doing here and I will try to pick a team I think will win the game. ‘Muzz is close but we’re just not sure how close he is. That’s the only downside to this week. ‘We knew we’d have to push him hard for this Sunday, so we’ll give him every chance to be available. I haven’t picked my team yet, so I’ll wait and see.’ Davidson is Saints’ only fitness concern after fellow midfielder David Wotherspoon resumed training without any issues.