Player and manager are in agreement – St Johnstone striker James McFadden will take part at Kilmarnock tomorrow.
The former Motherwell man has been one of the keys to Saints’ recent revival, but there had been fears it would be too much of a risk to play him on the Rugby Park artificial surface given his history of knee problems.
McFadden has assured Tommy Wright that a one-off match won’t be a problem, and that’s good enough for the Perth boss.
“I spoke to the manager about it,” McFadden said. “I’m not a fan of artificial surfaces and if I had to play and train on them every week I would have problems. But I want to play and I should be fine.
“A few years ago when I had my operation the surgeon said a few things would have to change. I couldn’t do certain things. I did everything to the letter of the law back then but I struggled. So I decided just to get on with it.
“I trained on plastic last season a few times and played on it in the cup.”
Wright added: “The physio and Faddy are relaxed about playing on that surface.
“It’s not going to be a problem for any of the lads in a one-off game.
“We have played loads of times now on artificial surfaces and I think we have only had one defeat, at Hamilton.
“I’m not a fan but we do seem to do particularly well on the artificial pitches. It isn’t an issue. We have won there already in the League Cup. We can handle it. Hopefully we can win there again.
“I have seen some teams there and they are beaten before they start. It’s maybe down to how you approach it. But the players are comfortable with it.”
McFadden believes he has been proven correct with the progression in his Saints’ performances.
“I said when I came in you would see the best of me once I got a wee run and got match fit,” he pointed out.
“The last few weeks have been better and there has been real improvement. I think that goes for everyone.
“But we need to impose ourselves for longer in games and maybe start enjoying the last 15 minutes. It has been a wee bit fraught in recent weeks but we are getting over the line and that’s the main thing.”
McFadden wasn’t a man happy to be substituted when Wright made the decision to shore up his midfield against St Mirren.
But the forward isn’t about to change his ways in his 30s.
“I’ve never been happy to come off at any point in my career,” he admitted.
“I had a five minute sulk in the dug out but come the end of the game we had got the win and that was the most important thing. It felt good and I felt there was a goal in me. I won’t fall out with anyone about it. But I still won’t be happy coming off!”
The incentive for Saints tomorrow is an obvious one. Victory will take them above their opponents and possibly Dundee as well.
Wright said: “It’s down to the players that they’ve got this chance. They’ve shown character and quality after a poor run of results. Everyone is playing better individually and that means collectively we are much better.
“Michael O’Halloran is firing in goals and that gives everyone a big lift. The front four have been excellent, showing quality and doing well in the final third. They have stepped up to the mark and helped the team get results.”
Lee Croft rejoins the squad after suspension, and there is good news regarding Steven MacLean and Tam Scobbie.
Wright reported: “MacLean and Scobbie might join in parts of the warm-up this week or next. They are coming on great. We have no definite date in mind but we’d like to think they will not be far away by the end of the month or early in January.”