Simo: Saints subs will give their all to avoid the drop

SIMO VALAKARI has backed his fringe players and makeshift defenders to keep St Johnstone's survival fight alive.

- By Blair Esson

Saints suffered a poor start to the Premiership post-split fixtures with a 3-2 loss at Motherwell.

They now face back-to-back home games against Kilmarnock and Ross County, with the Dingwall side the closest in realistic reach, six points away with four to play.

Bottom side Saints will soldier on through their schedule with one recognised centre-half, Daniels Balodis.

Sven Sprangler and Sam Curtis accompanied him in a back three at Fir Park, while Taylor Steven and Josh McPake formed a left-flank alliance in their first Premiership starts of the season.

Valakari is set to ask more of them in unfamiliar roles in a desperate bid to avoid the drop.