DANNY LENNON hopes moving Jim Goodwin back can help take St Mirren forward in 2013.

Goodwin, a midfielder, has been re-deployed in defence due to injuries and suspensions and his manager believes it may be the making of the player.

St Mirren are undefeated in their last three games with Goodwin playing at the back and Lennon hopes the player's disciplinary record will also improve as a result of the position switch. "Jim went in there against Celtic and I thought that defensively we did very well against a top, free-flowing side," said Lennon. "We had the same partnership against Motherwell and I never felt [goalkeeper] Craig Samson was under any real pressure. Jim did terrifically well.

"He started [his career] as a centre-back so it's not new to him. I think it suits him as he sees the game in front of him, he's a very good communicator, he's one who can squeeze the game. He's strong, too. For instance against Michael Higdon [Motherwell striker] I thought he was exceptional; he bullied him.

"Playing at the back also keeps Jim more disciplined as he's reading the game better. He knows he's got to be bang on with his challenges now, whereas in midfield if he makes a rash challenge there's a defence behind him to deal with it. With Jim able to go back and fit in there, he'll definitely see out his current contract and might end up staying even longer."

Goodwin's switch has meant Lee Mair having to settle for a seat on the bench in recent games but Lennon feels happier that his regular central defenders now have competition for their places. "Previously Lee Mair and Marc McAusland had done fantastically well but that was the only pairing we couldn't give a break to as we never really had anybody else," added Lennon. "I'm comfortable now with any two of the three in there. We tried three at the back but the group weren't comfortable with that. I respect that as you have to play to your players' strengths. I now know I've got three centre backs in there and any two of the three will go out there and do a job.

"Lee's been a fantastic player for us and there will be disappointment for him not playing. I understand that. Sometimes just a wee bit of rest and recovery does a player good and then you get a lot more out of them. I think Marc and Lee will relish Jim going in there to give them a helping hand and relieve them from a bit of pressure."

Lennon is hoping Conor Newton might be the player to fill Goodwin's role as the anchor in midfield. The 21 year-old has joined on loan from Newcastle United until the end of the season and could play against Kilmarnock tomorrow. He becomes the second player, after full-back Paul Dummett, to arrive from the Barclays Premier League club.

"I'm getting young Conor in and he's quite versatile," confirmed Lennon, who is also hoping to sign Dom Dwyer and an unnamed Portuguese player on loan. "He can play right-back or left-back or anywhere across the middle. Conor can sit in Jim's old position and he does that role very well.

"Our relationship with Newcastle is absolutely fantastic and, if we can tap into that, it can only benefit us. They're breeding players to play in the best league in the world and if we can play a part in their development then that will be great. We can certainly give them an education they won't get down there – and that's first-team football. They can come here and learn very, very quickly."