Duo in Hearts fitness sweat

Jan 10 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

EXPERIENCED St Mirren stars Steven Thompson and Jim Goodwin face a race against time to be fit for this weekends SPL showdown with Hearts.

Former Scotland striker Thompson, 33, and midfield ace Goodwin, 30, both missed the Scottish Cup tie with Hamilton Accies last Saturday after picking up injuries.

Thompson has been nursing a tight hamstring and the Buddies certainly missed his firepower as First Division Hamilton held out for a 0-0 draw.

Saints skipper Goodwin had been expected to line up against the Accies after completing a three-match suspension but a calf strain left him sidelined.

Express Sports can also reveal that centre-back Marc McAusland picked up a knock in the bruising encounter with the Lanarkshire club, although Buddies boss Danny Lennon is optimistic the big defender will be available for selection for this Saturdays trip to Tynecastle.

Hearts currently sit in fourth place in the SPL table and are six points ahead of St Mirren.

However, a win for the Paisley men in the capital would reduce the gap to just three points and provide them with a real shot in the arm as they bid to secure a top-six finish this season.

Lennon admits it would be a massive boost if both Thompson and Goodwin are fit to face the Jambos.

He told Express Sports: Touch wood, Jim should be back training with us on Wednesday and big Thommo should be back with us later in the week.

Jim had a calf strain, which is why he wasnt in the squad for the Hamilton game, and Thommo had a really tight hamstring. Id rather he missed the cup tie at the weekend than be missing for our bread and butter, which is the SPL.

Another player who missed out on the cup clash was veteran midfielder Hugh Murray, who has been stepping up his bid to regain match sharpness after recovering from a long-term knee injury.

Fans favourite Murray had been sidelined for seven months by ligament damage he picked up in a SPL game against Hamilton at the end of last season and, although he was on the bench for Saturdays cup tie, he wasnt called into action.

However, the 33-year-old midfielder will take another step along the comeback trail today in a bounce game with the Accies, which will be played behind closed doors.

Lennon said: It will mostly be the kids wholl play for us in this bounce game but Shuggie Murray will play too.