PETER PAWLETT is hoping the festive season turns out to be anything but a holiday for him.
The St Johnstone midfielder, on loan from Aberdeen until January 1, is desperate to cram in as many matches as he can over Christmas.
Pawlett has been hampered by injury since moving to McDiarmid from Pittodrie in August, restricting his on-field action to two starts and two appearances from the bench.
He finally shook off his hamstring trouble last weekend to come on as a sub against St Mirren and is set to feature today when Hearts visit Perth.
Pawlett was thrown into the deep end in Paisley, with his team reduced to nine men at the time, but he still managed to take something positive out of that comeback and is now keen to kick on.
“I got a little run last week and it was good to be back,” said the Scotland under-21 international.
“If I had wanted to ease myself back in there was no chance of that happening when we went down to nine men!
“It was still great for my fitness so it’s a positive.
“It has been so frustrating because I came here and wanted to play as much week in, week out.
“But unfortunately I got injured,” he added.
“Hopefully now I can play to the end of the year and finish with a flourish if I do go on to leave.
“I have not actually spoken to (Aberdeen boss) Craig Brown personally but I have chatted to my agent and he has had a word with him.
“He said the manager has not really made a decision yet whether he is recalling me or extending the deal.
“I also have to speak to the gaffer here to discuss it all.
“My priority is to play football wherever that may be and I have enjoyed it at St Johnstone even though I have been injured.
“Everyone has been so good to me and the games I have played I have thoroughly enjoyed.
“Every time I missed a match I said to myself that I still had so many more to go.
“Now we are heading into an intense time of the season and hopefully I can make an impact.
“By the end of it I may have played six or seven games.”
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff from Saints at the other Saints last Saturday, with Steve Lomas’s side hanging on doggedly for a 1-1 draw.
Pawlett thought that hard-fought point was just reward for St Johnstone’s efforts.
“It got to the stage where our keeper Alan Mannus was just kicking it forward and we were sitting back defending,” recalled Pawlett.
“I did get a chance and I should have scored to make it 2-1 then we just dug deep and our great team spirit showed.
“We will have to change things at the back this weekend having had two guys sent off (Steven Anderson and Chris Millar) and I may be playing sweeper!
“Whatever team goes out, we will put on a good performance I’m sure.”
Today’s opponents haven’t exactly had their troubles to seek this season but Pawlett noted with interest the fine result the Tynecastle men got against his parent club.
“I saw that they beat Aberdeen 2-0 last Saturday and the Dons had been flying high,” he said.
“That was a really good win for them.
“They have a good mix of youth and experience in their squad so it will be difficult for us.”
Hearts midfielder Scott Robinson is unlikely to feature and faces a meeting over his future on Monday after his refusal to participate against Aberdeen.
Medhi Taouil joins Danny Grainger, Jason Holt and Jamie Hamill on the sidelines.