Murray Davidson could be back in time for St Johnstone’s next match, after a specialist decided his injured knee did not need operated on.
Manager Tommy Wright is relieved that the news isn’t much worse.
The former Livingston midfielder travelled south after he pulled up in training on Friday.
Davidson had previously stretched the knee in action against Hamilton the previous weekend.
It is the same knee (but different injury) that required surgery last season when the Scotland international landed awkwardly after challenging for a header against Hearts and was out for the best part of a year.
Saints don’t have a game until next weekend and, after receiving an injection on Monday night, the expected 10-day recovery period should enable him to be available for selection.
“Murray saw the specialist last night and he decided to inject his knee there and then,” Wright reported.
“His recovery should be about 10 days.
“Obviously, Murray doesn’t want to miss any games after the run of bad luck he’s had, but it’s good news that it isn’t worse.
“We don’t have a game at the weekend and hopefully he might even be available for our first game after the split.”
Meanwhile, Wright is puzzled about the lack of midweek fixtures in the post-split Premiership schedule, and is worried about the knock-on effect of a late finish to the season for whichever Scottish teams qualify for Europe.
He explained: “I find it a bit incredible that we drag the season on to the 31st of May.
“All the games are on Saturdays this year. We usually have at least one midweek match.
“How does that help Scottish teams in Europe?
“It doesn’t.
“There will be reasons, but nobody’s explained them to me.”