COUNTY CLASH

Last updated : 18 October 2003 By Richard Jones

Saints make the road trip north to Dingwall this afternoon with the injury crisis hopefully in their wake. Despite the concern of last week, midfielders Mclaughlin, Donnelly, M. Robertson and Bernard all returned to training this week. Bernard suffered a late setback by contracting a virus, but was present at training yesterday. Billy Stark will make a late decision on his well-being. Mark Reilly missed much of training this week, but Stark is prepared to play him all the same.

Stark is delighted to have wide man McLaughlin back in the selection pool after shaking off a groin injury.

"He’s a player who can create something in a game. We need him to be positive in the right areas."

Billy Stark could be set for a full squad at training on Monday, less veteran casualties Jim Weir and Paddy Connolly. This would be a luxury that he has yet to be afforded so far this season but he remains coy on the injury status quo;

"Paul Lovering is expected to return to training next week and could play for the reserves on Tuesday and that would leave just Jim and Paddy. How long that will last remains to be seen, but if we get 90% of our players fit and available I would be very hopeful for the second quarter.

The start to the season has been most disappointing. Despite an excellent 4-1 curtain opener, and a 1-0 hard fought tussle over Clyde, Saint’s form has sailed dangerously close to the rocks. Excuses can be mitigated in favour of the Perth camp. Particularly due to the injury hangover of last season, and pre-season post operation recuperation. A quarter of the season in, and no more excuses are acceptable. Saints will have to justify their favourite tag, and start achieving results whatever the opposition.

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Ian Maxwell is set to return to familiar stomping ground today. He has pigeon holed confidence as a factor of the hot and cold Saints.

"An unbeaten run of say five or six matches would get us into good shape. That would give us the confidence we need, because it is fragile just now. The Falkirk 3-0 win was easily the best result in my time here, then we go out against Ayr, don’t start particularly well and everybody’s thinking—here we go again."



On the disappointment of two points lost against Ayr has said;

"When you go 1-0 up and the other team is reduced to 10 men you expect to be able to see the game out, which we didn’t. This will be the last game of the first quarter and if we win we should make ground and be further up the table, and then we can hopefully kick on from there."

On ex-team County he said;

"Alex Smith has brought in a lot of players and I think they’re unbeaten at home this season, so it will be a really tough match. We’ve been struggling at home but our away form has been pretty good apart from one game at Clyde. County will have a go at us, which should make it an open game and give us space which we can hopefully exploit."

Brian McLaughlin has had a frustrating season to date.

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"I’ve never had a problem like this in my career before. I had a dislocated shoulder once which required an operation, but that’s about it. Last season I think I missed only one game. So it’s been really frustrating and tough to handle mentally. But I’m of a positive frame of mind ad read to play at Dingwall. Win this one and we’re back in there."

Billy Stark knows what is needed today;

"If we reach the level of performance we produced against Falkirk we can win this game. The players have had a break and they know the importance of this match. We’re going to have a real go at them."

Ross County have had a dip in form lately after a 7-1 demolition of Raith. They too have some injury concern. Hugh Robertson, who has a virus, and Sean Webb (thigh injury) are doubtful for their clash with St Johnstone. County boss Alex Smith said: ``We lost ground recently and we have to work hard to try to benefit from what happens at Dumfries.''