Steve Lomas is glad his side have an early chance to forget all about Saturday's defeat to Motherwell. St Johnstone welcome Aberdeen tomorrow night in the rearranged fixture at McDiarmid Park. The original game was postponed due to heavy fog. The Saint's manager believes the first defeat since his arrival will allow fans to be realistic about Saints' strong start to the season. However, he is happy his side have the opportunity to swiftly make amends. The Northern Irishman said: "It was a disappointment, but to get a game so soon is good to get it out of your system. I know the lads were disappointed with how it went against Motherwell, but sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. Maybe it was the little reality check that everybody needed in terms of getting slightly carried away with third place and stuff like that. It's a great opportunity to bounce back and that's really what it's all about. It won't be easy against an Aberdeen team fighting for their lives, with two good men in charge in Craig Brown and Archie Knox. It'll be a tough game." The game against the Dons is the Perth side's third of six scheduled for December. Injuries have hit Saints at this congested time, with captain Jody Morris (hamstring), defender Frazer Wright (thigh) and striker Cillian Sheridan (hamstring) all unavailable for action. Striker Francisco Sandaza could return from a thigh injury against the Dons after missing the last two games, while midfielder Kevin Moon missed the Well loss through illness and is again a doubt. Lomas added: "We've had a horrendous run of injuries which doesn't help. Three weeks ago I had a full squad and on Saturday we were missing eight first-teamers. It is a concern. As a manager I would obviously prefer a clean-ish bill of health in what is such a busy period. But we've got a decent enough squad and we've got to deal with it." Sheridan's loan deal from CSKA Sofia expires in early January and Lomas hopes to talk with the Irishman, but first hopes to get the striker playing again. Lomas said: "We want to get Cilly fit as soon as possible and we're making our best endeavours to do that. The other situation we'll have to sit down with Cilly and his agent to talk it through." Lomas's first priority, however, is Aberdeen, who allowed a 2-0 lead to slip before drawing with St Mirren on Saturday but could climb to ninth place with victory in Perth. He added: "Aberdeen have got some good players and were probably a bit unlucky on Saturday not to get the win. We know we're going to have to put in a performance, it's as simple as that."
Source: FOOTYMAD
