Michael O’Halloran will be in the St Johnstone squad for tomorrow’s clash with Livingston if international clearance comes through in time.
And manager Tommy Wright has revealed that Murray Davidson may also be available.
The Perth boss is hoping there will soon be more news on contract extensions, with talks progressing with the likes of Richard Foster, Liam Craig and Tony Watt.
And he hasn’t ruled out another January signing.
Wright said: “Michael O’Halloran could be involved in the squad.
“We are waiting on his clearance to come through from Australia so if that’s here in time then he will be included.
“He hasn’t started a game for a long time but he’s fit, he’s been training well and it will be about getting that sharpness back to him.
“Murray Davidson is also back. He has a good chance of being in the squad on Wednesday and if not then definitely for Saturday.”
He added: “Everything is moving along with contracts and hopefully we will have one or two sorted this week.
“We are still looking to bring one more in but we might need movement in the other direction.
“I am happy with the squad as it is but if there is some movement then we are still looking.”
Wright was at Tynecastle on Sunday to watch Livingston play Hearts and he expects Gary Holt’s men to carry as big a threat tomorrow as they did in the first half of the season.
“I thought Livingston were probably the better team on Sunday and with Gregg Wylde’s chance they should have got something from the game,” he said.
“We all know their qualities. They are organised and a threat but they have good footballers too so we are aware of what to expect.
“We will need to improve on Saturday because while it was OK at times, I felt we were a bit loose in the second half so we are looking for better.”
Reflecting on the draw for the fifth round of the cup – Saints are away at Celtic – Wright admitted: “It is the toughest draw we could have got.
“Celtic are the holders, they’re favourites to win it again and they are at home.
“The biggest negative for me is we will now play them three times in 11 days, which is something neither side will want.
“But you’d much rather be in the cup than not be in it, that’s for sure.
“It’s not ideal but it’s an opportunity for us to cause a shock. We will know each other pretty well because we played in the League Cup too.”
Meanwhile, Wright has given his support to Martin Canning in the wake of the Hamilton manager’s ordeal at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
“Every year people tip Hamilton to go down but he’s kept them up time and again,” he said.
“So those Hamilton fans dishing out the abuse should be careful what they wish for.
“I think it just says everything about society these days. It’s shameful.
“We have had a few incidents this season where people have overstepped the mark because some folk think they can behave any way they like.
“When someone’s family has to leave the stadium because of it it’s not on.
“Managers know you will get stick if you’re not winning games but on Saturday some fans were dishing it out after 15 minutes.
“How does that help the players get back into the game? It doesn’t.
“People who know football know the job Martin has done and has repeatedly done.
“The culprits on Saturday should be ashamed of themselves.”
