INJURIES REALLY CRIPPLED SAINTS' SEASON

McLeish blames crock list for falling into fight for survival

- COLIN PATERSON

Craig McLeish insists St Mirren were ‐‐crippled‐‐ by injuries this season as they battled to stay in the Premiership.

The Buddies' Ralston training ground resembled an episode of Holby City with the number of players laid up in the treatment room.

Long-term absentees reduced the number of options available to McLeish who promoted academy starlets to the bench.

The 36-year-old also needed to re-sign St Johnstone keeper Ross Sinclair on a weekly emergency loan basis for the final month of action.

Saints preserved their top-flight status on Monday night with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Championship contenders Partick Thistle.

A second-half volley from Marcus Fraser - himself playing through a broken collarbone recovery - ensured a decisive 1-0 win at a jam-packed SMiSA Stadium.

Planning for next season can officially get underway with significant squad changes expected this summer.