Craig Levein explains Nicky Clark absence in friendly romp at Nairn

CRAIG Levein is in no mood to gamble with Nicky Clark’s fitness after the forward sat out St Johnstone’s 6-1 friendly against Nairn County.

The Saints manager is already one striker down, with new signing Uche Ikpeazu out until early autumn with a knee injury.

Clark, along with Cammy Macpherson, will skip Saturday’s match at Huntly and have his calf issue looked at over the coming week.

Striker problems dogged the early part of last season under Steven Maclean, with Clark and Chris Kane absent for long spells, and Levein wants no repeat.

“Nicky’s calf was a bit tight the other day and I’m taking no chances,” Levein reported.

“He’s had calf problems before so we are being ultra-cautious. He came back from the break in superb condition so I’m not wanting to throw him in and regret it.

“I want him 100% for the first competitive game (Brechin) in two weeks.

“Cammy also just felt a bit of the back of his knee, a tendon. We are hoping if he’s not back for a bounce game against Hamilton on Tuesday, then fairly soon after that.”

Saints eased to victory with almost two separate teams in each half at Station Park. Levein was pleased with the step up on the fitness front a fortnight before the first competitive game at Brechin City.

Levein said: “We got what we needed – some goals, no injuries. We didn’t find our rhythm right away but as both halves progressed we saw a wee bit more.

“It’s about fitness as well and I thought we worked hard.

“We will do the second part of this against Huntly and if we can get the same effort and workrate – and some semblance of good patterns of play and goals – we will be happy.”

St Johnstone boss was happy with weekend’s game.