Murray Davidson hasn’t played since breaking his arm back in January.
But St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson is ready to hand him a return ticket for today’s clash with St Mirren.
The Perth boss knows how valuable the midfielder has been to the club year after year since being lured from Livingston.
At 32, he is one of the more experienced – and fittest – players in the McDiarmid squad.
With Liam Craig suspended after his post-match red card in the controversial 1-0 loss to Hibs, Davidson has been earmarked to plug the gap in central midfield.
It will be his first appearance of the campaign, after suffering tendonitis in pre-season.
“Murray has to manage himself so he can be available every Saturday. He’s that little bit older now,” said Davidson.
“I remember going down to Largs one year. Murray had missed the majority of pre-season and I had to do the running with him.
“He just flew. He’s just incredibly fit, that’s just the way he is.
“That is his build and his character. He’s one of those guys you can just throw straight back into the team.
“He’s a big part of the team, he’s been here for so long.”
Davidson now only has keeper Zander Clark sidelined by injury.
“Zander has started training again. He’ll probably be ready after the international break,” he said.
“Apart from him, everyone is back fit and has had a good week’s training.”
The McDiarmid boss has already filed away the disappointment of Sunday’s Hibs defeat to focus on the Buddies’ visit.
The Perth Saints found Jim Goodwin’s side a tough nut to crack last term, with one defeat and two draws in their three encounters.
“St Mirren have had a good start to the season, they work extremely hard for each other, they are really tough to break down and they have that little bit of threat going forward,” warned Davidson.
With an international break looming, the Saints manager revealed he’s keen to arrange a game to showcase potential recruits.
But, yet again, strict virus protocols will come into play.
“I’m giving them two or three days off with their families and trying to arrange a game for the Saturday for the ones who have been out and younger ones who have been on the periphery of the squad,” said Davidson.
“We have a two-week window now for me and my staff to have a good look at players and who could be available.
“A lot of clubs in England are starting up again so there will be players there.
“I’d like to bring trialists up but we have to get the testing right. That makes it very difficult.
“That is the hard part. You have to be organised if there are any players we’d like to have a look at next Saturday.
“You have to make sure the testing days are right. Results would have to be back in time.
“It’s quite a challenge. Hopefully we can get some up but we’ll have to wait and see.”
