Tommy Wright, the St Johnstone manager, has drawn up a list of free agents as he takes steps to offset a shortage of strikers at the Perth club.

Stevie May was sold on to Sheffield Wednesday during the transfer window and Steven MacLean has since suffered a knee injury which will keep him out for up to six months. Chris Kane is on loan at Dumbarton too, leaving Wright with only loan signings Brian Graham and Adam Morgan to choose from up front.

However, the St Johnstone manager has arranged talks with club chairman Steve Brown to talk the issue over and has a list of potential signings which Wright hopes can alleviate the pressure on his squad. The Northern Irishman expects to be granted permission to move for one of those individuals following his meeting with Brown.

"Brian Graham has scored two goals in two starts, so I am really pleased with him, and Adam Morgan looks to be finding his feet," said Wright, ahead of his side's meeting with Kilmarnock tonight in the third round of the League Cup. "And I will be looking to bring a striker in as quickly as possible because I have always said I need three strikers.

"Defensively we are all right but I think we need that extra striker to give us options up top. I am meeting the chairman. I have a few targets and we will start narrowing down what target we can hopefully get.

"There are one or two experienced ones still out there. I have to see what sort of money is available and that will determine who we go for, but there are people available and people who are keen to come on a short-term deal as well. They are not playing and any deal is better than nothing."

Ross Barbour is also eager to return to regular action following an injury, with the Kilmarnock full-back desperate to safeguard his future after learning that his girlfriend is pregnant. "I've got a baby on the way on November 8. My life has changed a lot already. This [football] becomes more of a job now than a hobby, because I will need to provide for my wee girl," said the 21-year-old.