Source: Team_Talk
Morris hoping to be fit for Saints opener
St Johnstone hope Jody Morris will be back in action for the start of the new season after undergoing surgery earlier this week.[LNB] The 31-year-old is recovering after a hernia operation on Wednesday but has targeted Saints' Scottish Premier League opener against Hearts for his return.[LNB]The club's official website revealed that the former Chelsea midfielder had been playing through the pain barrier for the latter part of last season.[LNB]And, with close-season rest failing to rectify the problem, both Morris and the club decided that an operation was the best option.[LNB]According to www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk: "With the operation successfully completed, hopes are now high that a fully-fit Jody will be ready to take his place when the SPL gets underway, although he will likely be unable to play a full part when pre-season training gets underway with a week-long training camp in Warwick."[LNB]Meanwhile, Saints boss Derek McInnes admits they face a tough start to the new season after the fixture list was published yesterday.[LNB]He said: "Five out of the opening seven games are against sides that finished in the top six last season so it's not exactly an easy start but it is a set of fixtures we will relish.[LNB]"We want to be one of those top six sides so we have to stretch ourselves and take on board things learned last season.[LNB]"The issuing of the fixture list allows us to fine tune our pre-season plans and make arrangements to have our early opponents watched in their pre-season matches.[LNB]"I still want to arrange another friendly match for us the weekend before the SPL starts and the club and I are working hard to make that happen."
