St Johnstone are closing in on the signing of Mark Kerr, the midfielder who has also met with Hibernian and Dundee.

The 30-year-old has recently returned from the United States and could now agree a deal to join the club.

The move would assuage concerns over the depth of a squad that is already missing the injured Chris Millar and could also lose Murray Davidson for the trip to Hibs today due to tendonitis in his knee.

The club's forward options have been bolstered by the return of Rowan Vine from suspension, at least. The striker was sent off during his debut, and left him frustrated as his new side struggled against Aberdeen last week.

It was a rare lapse of indiscipline and made for an uncomfortable conversation with his nine-year-old son. "I'm trying to teach him not to be late with his tackles, and I'm getting sent off," said the former Queens Park Rangers striker, who could profit from the wide play of loan signing Peter Pawlett this afternoon. "So the red card didn't go down too well.

"The manager said that someone with my experience shouldn't be getting sent off, and it's a fair comment. But I've learned my lesson and I won't be tackling any more, even if I get booed for pulling out of a tackle."

Hibs have also bolstered their front line with the signing of Shefki Kuqi, the Edinburgh side's eighth new arrival of the season. He may not be the last either, with Pat Fenlon bemoaning a lack of depth in midfield after the injury to Lewis Stevenson.

However, the Hibs manager used the example of Kuqi to outline that it is integral that he signs players that will fit into his vision for the club. "It's important that as well as being decent players, they are the right sort," said Fenlon.

"With Shefki, we know he is the right type of character for us from doing the background check. He has been exactly how people described him and is exactly what we wanted."