Wright welcomes striker dilemma
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has welcomed a rare difficulty in picking his strikeforce for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash with Hamilton.
Saints have been short on forwards all season after Steven MacLean was struck down by a bad knee injury shortly after Stevie May departed for Sheffield Wednesday in August.
Loan signing Adam Morgan failed to make an impact and is now back at Yeovil but MacLean returned last weekend and James McFadden was back from a hamstring injury when Saints lost 2-0 at Aberdeen on New Year's Day.
Wright also has Brian Graham back from suspension when his team take on Accies on Sunday, and that has given the Perth boss an interesting dilemma over his selection up front.
"It will be a difficult job because I can only pick one or two, whatever system I play," he said. "I'll have problems making that decision but it's a nice position to be in.
"James did really well when he came on when we got the ball to him, and I'm pleased he has come through a good 30 minutes.
"Macca got another 60 minutes, he looked a bit tired but that's understandable.
"We have people coming back, we have Brian Graham coming back on Sunday so we will be able to freshen it up."
The Saints manager will have almost a fully-fit squad although left-back Brian Easton is likely to miss out again with a calf problem.
Hamilton have released striker Jason Scotland - but picked up Irish midfielder Lee Lynch.
Veteran Trinidad and Tobago international Scotland netted one of the goals which helped Accies beat Hibernian in last season's play-off final to clinch promotion to the Premiership.
But he has now decided to call time on his 12-month stint with the New Douglas Park outfit after making just six starts this season.
Player manager Alex Neil said: "Jason has been a model professional during his time with us and has had a big influence in the dressing room, particularly with the young players. I've no doubt that he will add these same values to his next club and he will always be made welcome here at Accies."
Chairman Les Gray added: "Jason has been a great signing for us but understandably wants more game time, as recently his appearances have been from the bench so we have agreed to his request to leave us and find a new club. He is a great lad and we wish him well for the future."
As Scotland departs, Republic of Ireland youth cap Lynch, 23, arrives from Limerick.
The former Drogheda, Sligo and St Pats midfielder - who is also an ex-pupil of the Glenn Hoddle Soccer Academy at Jerez, Spain - has signed till May 2016, although the club are still waiting for international clearance.
Meanwhile, Neil believes he can change his record-breaking line-up and not dilute the quality.
Hamilton produced one of the best results in their history on New Year's Day when they recorded their highest win over Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell for 80 years.
Neil might have to take himself out of the team for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park after coming off with a tight hamstring early in the second half.
But he was delighted with the performance of his replacement, Jon Routledge, and he watched two other substitutes, Eamonn Brophy and Danny Redmond, combine to finish off the 5-0 rout.
"I thought the three subs were fantastic," Neil said. "Wee Jon coming on solidified us and he did the job that I would do, just got out and won his tackles, made sure he filled the holes and stopped the attacks.
Source: PA
