Parkin returns to prove point against old club St Johnstone

St JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas knew Sam Parkin would revive his career, despite releasing him in January.

Parkin returns to McDiarmid Park today, with St Mirren, looking to end his former club’s three-match winning streak in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The striker, who scored in a 5-4 win over Ross County last weekend, made two appearances under Lomas after recovering from a broken ankle but could not secure a regular place and was released to allow him to kick-start his career at Queen of the South.

After scoring six goals for Queens, the 31-year-old won a move back to the SPL and Lomas is wary of the powerful striker tomorrow.

“Sam was very unfortunate at our place,” Lomas said. “But I always knew from England that Sam would do a decent job for somebody. He is a very good player. You don’t go to Chelsea as a kid if you’re not a decent player.

Lomas won the manager of the month award after an unbeaten September but he appreciates the size of the task against St Mirren, who this week lost Paul McGowan to a shoulder injury.

“We have 13 fit senior players this week and we’ll have to perform well to get something from St Mirren because they will be coming here thinking this is a winnable game and if they win that going into the international break, it will set them up nicely,” Lomas said.

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon is not surprised that St Johnstone have recovered from their nightmare start to the season.

Following a goalless draw against Dundee United, St Johnstone produced a shock win over Celtic, which took them off the bottom of the table and preceded away victories over Ross County and Dundee.

Ahead of the Paisley side’s visit to McDiarmid Park, Lennon claimed it was only a matter of time before Lomas got it right.

“It is no surprise to me, with the quality of players they have, that they have climbed the table.

“As for us, we have won three out of the last four games. So we are hitting form ourselves and will try to continue that. But I feel we have not hit fifth gear for long periods this season, so hopefully we can do that on Saturday.”