Preview: St Johnstone v Aberdeen: Steve Lomas eager to shake Motherwell defeat out of system

STEVE Lomas is eager for a response from his St Johnstone side in tonight’s SPL clash with Aberdeen after describing Saturday’s loss to Motherwell as “a reality check”.

St Johnstone are fourth in the table and missed the opportunity to move within a point of the Fir Park side by losing 3-0 to Motherwell at McDiarmid Park.

Lomas said: “It was a disappointment, but to get a game so soon is good to get it out of your system. I know the lads were disappointed with how it went against Motherwell, but sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. Maybe it was the little reality check that everybody needed in terms of getting slightly carried away with third place and stuff like that. It’s a great opportunity to bounce back and that’s really what it’s all about. It won’t be easy against an Aberdeen team fighting for their lives, with two good men in charge in Craig Brown and Archie Knox. It’ll be a tough game.”

Tonight’s game is St Johnstone’s third of six fixtures scheduled for December. Injuries have hit them at a challenging time, with captain Jody Morris (hamstring), defender Frazer Wright (thigh) and striker Cillian Sheridan (hamstring) all out.

Striker Francisco Sandaza, however, could return from a thigh injury after missing the last two games.

Lomas added: “We’ve had a horrendous run of injuries which doesn’t help. Three weeks ago I had a full squad and on Saturday we were missing eight first-teamers. It is a concern. As a manager I would obviously prefer a clean-ish bill of health in what is such a busy period. But we’ve got a decent enough squad and we’ve got to deal with it.”

Sheridan’s loan deal from CSKA Sofia expires in early January and Lomas plans discussions with the Irishman, but first hopes to get the striker playing again. “We want to get Cilly fit as soon as possible and we’re making our best endeavours to do that,” he said.