ST JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas has admitted he was happy to come through Monday’s Scottish Cup clash with Cowdenbeath unscathed in more ways than one.
While the aim of the game was obviously to book a fifth-round spot against St Mirren, the fact Saints were playing a second fixture in the space of three days could have had an impact on the fitness of his squad ahead of another important SPL game away to Aberdeen on Saturday.
As luck would have it, the repeatedly frozen-out clash at Central Park eventually worked in Lomas’s favour as a number of players who were suspended for the 2-2 draw with Hearts on Saturday were available for the Fife fixture on Monday.
He was even able to rest the likes of Frazer Wright, Callum Davidson and Rowan Vine, who had been carrying slight injuries.
“We were fortunate enough in that we had three or four missing from Saturday so the game against Cowdenbeath allowed us to freshen things up a little bit,” he said.
“We had players back from suspension, while Frazer Wright was carrying a wee knock so we hope he’ll be OK for Saturday.
“Rowan Vine’s hamstring was also a little bit tight so we didn’t want to take a risk.
“That’s always the worry with two games in quick succession you end up picking up a few injuries, but hopefully everybody is OK.
“It’s never easy playing two games in three days, but it’s all about getting through it. The job was done and we wanted to get the game out of the way.
“The last thing we wanted was a replay because it would have been Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, so we’re delighted to get through.”