“There is a possibility of players coming here to train for a few days, but some of the people I’ve been talking about I know what they can do already and that could speed up the process,” he said today.

While he had nothing concrete to report on that front, since being appointed on Friday he has been speaking to agents and is awaiting one call in particular from a player he would like to have in his squad.

And, although little about the identity of the man in question has been given away, it is a fair bet he is a striker.

With Gerry Britton being released last week, that leaves only regulars Simon Lynch and Tam McManus as well as back-up Andy Ferguson for the attack, and the manager would like more depth in that department in particular.

The players already on the books were put through another hard session today and one bonus for Alan is the fact all the players who have been playing recently are fit.

“They had five days off after the Airdrie game last week and that means any knocks they picked up have had time to clear and, so far, everyone who was expected to be fit is fine,” he added.

One player he has still to meet up with is goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, who will not be back from World Cup duty with Trinidad until the end of the week. He is expected to be in goal for the Caribbean side in Costa Rica tomorrow.

“I’ve not been taking any chances with him because our squad is so tight, so he has been working with the physio. He’s coming on and I would hope to have him back with the rest of the squad by Thursday — if he is, he will be OK for Saturday,” said boss Gordon Chisholm.

Not so encouraging is midfielder Barry Robson’s situation, and, as his ankle problems continue, he was back at hospital for a scan this afternoon.

Hopes the two-week fixture break would give him the chance to recover were dashed when he felt the injury in training and, as he is still in considerable discomfort even after a spell away from weight-bearing training, Robson now has to be considered a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Hibs.

“The X-ray we’ve already had done was encouraging, but he is, obviously, still feeling it. It might be a case of the scan showing him there is nothing seriously wrong and I am hoping for good news when he returns,” added Gordon.

Meanwhile, it is too early to say whether or not new signing Peter Canero will be in the squad for Easter Road, though first impressions of his fitness levels have been good.

This afternoon, the reserves kicked off their season when they played host to Motherwell at Forfar’s Station Park.

But defender Kevin James, midfield man John Henry and strikers Steven Milne and Peter MacDonald are still out.

If Saints had a game last Saturday, it’s highly unlikely James would have played.

Apart from that, another front man, Jason Scotland, is still in the Caribbean with Trinidad and Tobago.

He came on as a substitute in the 3-2 win over Guatemala on Saturday and is in the squad to face Costa Rica tomorrow night.

Saints player-boss Owen Coyle is keeping his fingers crossed Jason comes through unscathed.

Even if he does, it will be Friday before he gets back to Perth, not ideal preparation for a match the next day.

Meanwhile, long-term injury victim Kevin Fotheringham still hasn’t re-started training.

Saints are speaking to Scott Paterson later today.

The former Dundee United central defender has been training with the club and Owen said they’ll have a chat with him today regarding his future.