Croft: Rest has done us good
St Johnstone winger Lee Croft believes physical and mental refreshment can help the Perth side embark on a successful run-in.
Saints had their own mini-winter break after Celtic postponed their meeting last weekend to fly to Gran Canaria for a training camp.
Tommy Wright's men had to settle for the wet and windy environs of Perth and Stirling but Croft believes the break can help them bounce back from consecutive defeats, which followed a run of six successive wins, when they host Partick.
The former Derby and Oldham player said: "We had two losses just before the break after that great run we were on. I suppose if we were still on that run I would have said we would have liked to have kept playing, but I think after the defeat to Aberdeen and the poor result against Hamilton, it was probably good to step away from it, work hard in training, and then get back into it this weekend.
"We have three games in a week coming up so it will be an important week for us if we want to climb up the table and establish ourselves in the top six."
And Croft also feels that their bolstered squad is well placed to push on after the likes of Steven MacLean and Tam Scobbie recovered from knee injuries.
Forward Chris Kane has returned from a successful loan spell at Dumbarton to give Wright another option after an injury-hit start to the campaign.
Croft said: "The squad has been affected by injuries throughout the whole season in different positions, and now we are just getting to the point where everyone is back.
"That can only be good for competition because you know you will have to play well to keep your place in the team. I think it will be healthy.
"It makes a difference because you know you have to perform every week."
James McFadden begins a three-match ban and 18-year-old forward George Hunter will not feature following his move from Spartans.
Brian Easton returns from a calf knock while fellow defender Scobbie could make the squad again but is still lacking match fitness.
Meanwhile, Abdul Osman hopes he has impressed enough so far this season to earn a new deal at Partick.
The former Gretna and Crewe midfielder, 27, joined Thistle on a one-year contract last summer.
Osman is keen to extend his stay at Firhill beyond the current campaign and has already held provisional talks with boss Alan Archibald.
He said: "I've been thinking about my future and speaking to the manager and hopefully we can get something sorted.
"He has shown an interest in extending my contract here so we will see how that goes. I like it here and it's definitely something I'd like to do.
"It's all good. I like Glasgow and it's all good with the boys in the dressing room too."
However, Osman feels he has still not reached his full potential at Partick.
And he is particularly keen to add more goals to his game, having found the net just once so far this term.
He said: "There is still more to come. As a player, you can't be content with what you're doing.
"You have to always try to push yourself more and I want to try to add more goals to my game. Hopefully I can do that in the next six months."
Osman is fit again after a recent hamstring problem and should be back in action at St Johnstone.
Gary Fraser is a doubt. The midfielder has been ill this week but it is hoped he will recover in time, while Sean Welsh and Christie Elliott remain on the sidelines.
Jordan McMillan is still suspended amid a club investigation.
Source: PA
