Long-term casualty Kevin Rutkiewicz continued his comeback in a closed doors win over Morton, but tonight comes too soon for him.

However, Collin Samuel is in the squad and, after playing for an hour against Morton, could find a place either from the start or on the bench. The striker has been out for several weeks following knee surgery.

New boys Mark Connolly and Michael Duberry are also in the pool.

Duberry made his first start in Saturday’s home loss to Dundee United and Saints team boss Derek McInnes said, “I hope he can have a big influence. He’s settled in well.”

The Perth team have won in the Scottish Cup and drawn in the league at St Mirren’s new stadium and are hoping their good record there will continue.

“After successive cup defeats last week by Rangers and Dundee United, we’re keen to pick up in the SPL and will, hopefully, come away with something tonight,” Derek added.

“The Morton match also gave Kevin Rutkiewicz and Collin Samuel some game time and that’s why Collin is in the pool for this game.

“I was happy with the way that game went. I was able to put out a mixture of players, some young and some experienced and, by the end, we had seven young lads on the park against a full-strength Morton side.”

Derek will harbour no feelings of resentment at St Mirren Park.

The Perth men went out in last week’s Co-op Cup semi-finals, while the Buddies won through against Hearts.

“I am delighted for Gus MacPherson in getting to the final,” he said.

For his part, MacPherson insists the SPL remains the priority.

“Everybody connected with the club would understand how important the SPL is,” said MacPherson, whose side also have a Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Rangers to look forward to. “The cup games take care of themselves.”