Goodwin and Mair winning their battles

14 March 2013 20:00
Saints skipper Jim Goodwin looks set to be fit enough to lead the team out at Hampden on Sunday - and he could be joined in the squad by Lee Mair.

Goodwin hasn't been seen since we lost to St Johnstone on February 23 due to a calf injury. However, he was quoted in many of yesterday's papers as saying he would play on Sunday and was willing to take an injection (or even cut off his leg!) if required.

On Sportsound last night Goodwin confirmed he should be fit and wasn't involved last week against Dundee United as a precaution. This is great news as the team needs him for his qualities as both a player and a leader - although his lack of match fitness in the last few weeks is a concern.

It was thought we would be unlikely to see Mair again this season, with reports over the weekend suggesting he would need an operation on a stomach muscle. However, things seemed to improve after a visit to a specialist and he joined the club's training camp in St Andrews earlier this week. Hopefully he'll be fit enough to give us defensive cover on the bench - and have the chance to write the wrongs of 2010, when he started the final against Rangers.

The experienced defender started tonight's under-20 game at Dunfermline - as did Darren McGregor. He has been out since the third game of the season, when he suffered ligament damage for the second year running. It's great to see him back in action and while he'll almost certainly not be involved on Sunday, we should hopefully see him back in the first team after the split - if not sooner.

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Source: Mirren MAD

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