ST JOHNSTONE are facing a mini defensive crisis ahead of Thursday’s Europa League first round qualifying tie against Trakai of Lithuania, after experienced defender Steven Anderson sustained a knee injury in what manager Tommy Wright called a “poor” tackle from Rangers’ Ryan Jack during their goalless closed-door bounce match at Auchenhowie. With Anderson waiting the results of a scan on the injured joint, his fellow defenders Keith Watson and Brian Easton both rated doubtful after a pre-season injury issues, Tam Scobbie leaving the club for Dundee United this summer, and the club yet to decide on whether to offer a contract to potential signing target Scott Tanser, Wright could be forced to hand a continental bow to one of his young central defenders Ally Gilchrist, Liam Gordon or Jason Kerr. Wright can still add one man to his European squad of 25 up to 24 hours before the match, but one man who won’t play a part in the tie is former Kilmarnock winger James Dayton, who left unsigned following a trial period at the club.
“The match went well from our point of view,” said Wright. “But unfortunately Steven Anderson picked up a knee injury and has to go for a scan. I actually thought it was a pretty bad tackle from Ryan Jack. He didn’t mean it but it was a poor one. But if he is out it will give an opportunity to one of our promising young centre backs. We have Ally Gilchrist, Jason Kerr and Liam Gordon all looking to stake a claim. They have done well in pre-season and I will have no problems throwing one of them in.”
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