ST JOHNSTONE boss Steve Lomas admits he fully understands why Peter Pawlett has been recalled to Aberdeen following his loan spell at McDiarmid, writes Neil Robertson.
The Perth manager was keen to retain the Scotland Under-21 player but he admitted that he knew he was fighting a losing battle once Dons boss Craig Brown had sold another winger, teenage sensation Ryan Fraser, to Bournemouth last week.
He said: “Once the little lad Fraser went, we always feared the worst so it wasn’t too much of a surprise.
“We had hoped that Craig might see the benefit of allowing him to stay at St Johnstone and play regularly until the end of the season.
“However, Craig has to look out for his own club and decide what he thinks is best for Aberdeen.
“Peter was hampered with a bit with injury while he was with us but he always made an impact when he played and he leaves with our best wishes.”
Following Pawlett’s departure, Lomas has continued his efforts to bring QPR youngster Michael Doughty to McDiarmid Park.
The Welsh under-21 midfielder impressed when he trained with Saints last week and, while there was no firm word yesterday, Lomas remains hopeful of concluding a deal.
Meanwhile, Murray Davidson who missed Sunday’s defeat at Motherwell with an ankle problem has shaken off the injury and returned to training.