Tommy Wright looking for replacement striker

Tommy Wright gives instructions during his side's defeat at Inverness. Picture: SNS

Wright has a list of free agents he has earmarked to replace Steven MacLean, who faces up to six months out with a knee injury, and will whittle that down following talks with chairman Steve Brown.

With Chris Kane loaned to Dumbarton, Wright only has his own loan players, Brian Graham and Adam Morgan, to choose from up front.

Wright said on the eve of his side’s League Cup tie at Kilmarnock: “Brian Graham has scored two goals in two starts, so I am really pleased with him, and Adam Morgan looks to be finding his feet.

“And I will be looking to bring a striker in as quickly as possible because I have always said I need three strikers.

“Defensively we are all right but I think we need that extra striker to give us options up top.

“I am meeting the chairman today. I have a few targets and we will start narrowing down what target we can hopefully get.

“There are one or two experienced ones still out there. I have to see what sort of money is available and that will determine who we go for, but there are people available and people who are keen to come on a short-term deal as well. Because obviously they are not playing and any deal is better than nothing.”

MacLean’s injury, along with that of defender Tam Scobbie, has been followed by defeats against Dundee and Inverness, who beat the Perth side 2-1 on Saturday.

But Saints coped well with a number of injuries last season and Wright wants more from his players.

“Irrespective of the players we have lost, we should have done better in the last two games, and the players know that,” he said.

“On Saturday we had a clear penalty on Brian Graham at the end, which we don’t get, but overall we haven’t done as well as we should be doing, and that’s collectively.

“When we went down to 2-0 on Saturday, it was a really good response. Any time we have done well we have started games well, played with a good tempo and been positive and that’s what we have to get back to.”

The William Hill Scottish Cup holders also reached the League Cup semi-finals last season and Wright is eager for another run ahead of the third-round tie at Rugby Park.

“There’s a good emphasis on cups at all clubs, particularly smaller clubs because that’s your only realistic chance of winning anything,” he said.

“We proved that last year and Kilmarnock proved that recently by winning the League Cup. We put huge emphasis on it so this is an important game for us.”