DONNELLY DELIVERS SAINTS AN INJURY BOOST

Liam Donnelly is inching closer to a St Mirren return after injury wrecked his preseason programme.

- COLIN PATERSON

The summer signing from Kilmarnock has yet to make his competitive debut for the Buddies after suffering an Achilles problem.

But there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for the 29-year-old who was "back on the pitch" at Ralston on Monday.

Donnelly has been working closely with physio Gerry Docherty to put him in a position to be with the rest of the first-team squad.

Manager Stephen Robinson will be delighted to have him available and hinted that a comeback for the Premiership clash with Falkirk on Saturday, September 13, is not ruled out.

The Saints boss said: "Liam has been on the weightless running and been back running with Gerry in another area.

"He's going to have to have a preseason. He missed almost the whole of preseason.