Wylde hoping Teale sticks around
St Mirren winger Gregg Wylde believes the Buddies should do all they can to keep hold of Gary Teale - even if he is replaced as boss.
The Paisley outfit have opened up a search for a new manager but have invited interim boss Teale to apply for his own post.
The former Scotland international has not had it easy since replacing axed manager Tommy Craig just before Christmas with a string of injuries and refereeing decisions costing him dearly, while the loss of top scorer Kenny McLean to Aberdeen on the final day of the winter transfer window was another blow.
But even so, his failure to halt the club's relegation from the Scottish Premiership may be enough to sway Saints chief Stewart Gilmour into appointing someone else.
Wylde hopes the 36-year-old can be persuaded to stay on at St Mirren Park, even if he has to drop back down the backroom pecking order.
The former Rangers, Bolton and Aberdeen player said: "Tealey can put his name in the hat along with the rest of the managers and then we will see who comes out.
"This was his first crack at management and he's not done too bad. If the board chose him then great. If not, then hopefully he will stay on as a coach.
"One way or another I think he should still be here next season. He's been here for so long now that I can't see him leaving.
"He's not had it easy since taking over with all the things that have gone against him but he took it all on board and has been great.
"He and his assistant Davie Longwell have been very good to me so I'd like to see him stay. But if a new manager comes in I'd like to see Tealey stay on."
St Mirren have just two games left of their nine-year run in Scotland's top flight, with Saturday's final home game against Motherwell followed by a last-day trip to Hamilton.
But out-of-contract Wylde hopes he will know the identity of his new boss by the time he takes on Accies so he can start addressing the questions concerning his own future.
"A few of the boys are quite frustrated," admitted the 24-year-old. "There is a lot of uncertainty about the place and I think the boys want to know now who is staying, who is going and if a new manager is coming in.
"We just have to wait and see who the board chooses.
"No one has said anything to me yet. I know the chairman was at the training ground on Thursday talking to a few boys but I don't think we know who the board want to stay yet.
"Hopefully they can chose a manager before the end of the season. The boys go away on holiday after that and no-one wants to go away with their future undecided.
"There are about 12 of us out of contract but I think the club need to get things sorted as quickly as possible - hopefully before the end of the season."
St Mirren manager Gary Teale will go with the same squad which beat Ross County last weekend.
Some players might have some trepidation about being thrust into a relegation battle but Motherwell left-back Steven Hammell is relishing every minute back on the pitch.
Hammell has had a tortuous season after picking up a groin tear in a Europa League defeat by Stjarnan that he struggled to shake off.
After several aborted comebacks, Hammell has finally returned just at the right time as Motherwell bid to get out of the bottom two of the Scottish Premiership.
The 33-year-old has helped Motherwell pick up four points against Ross County and Kilmarnock ahead of their trip to St Mirren Park, to give themselves a chance of escaping a relegation play-off.
Hammell said: "The season from a personal point of view has been terrible with injuries and sitting watching the boys not doing so well.
"But it's good to be back in now helping out because it's terrible sitting watching, especially when the team is losing. It's not a position I have been in before and I have really struggled to deal with it.
"But I have come back in the last couple of games and tried to help the team out as much as I can and hopefully that will be the case for the next two games as well and get us to move up at least one more spot in the league.
"I got set back a couple of times and thought I wouldn't play again this season.
"But the progression went really quickly from seeing the specialist and it's good to be back playing because I have really missed it."
Josh Law returns to the Motherwell squad for the trip to St Mirren Park after a late call-off before the victory over Kilmarnock last weekend but centre-back Louis Laing remains out with a thigh injury.
Well manager Ian Baraclough reported no fresh injury problems.
Source: PAR
