Estonian makes late claim for final place

DANNY LENNON will assess Sander Puri during St Mirren's short break in St Andrews this week and could hand the winger a debut in Sunday's Scottish Communities League Cup final.

The Estonian, who played against Scotland at Pittodrie last month, had been training with Kilmarnock but joins Lennon's squad as they prepare for this weekend's game against Hearts.

"Sander is a quality player and he fits the bill for us," said Lennon. "He's got a fantastic pedigree. So we'll monitor him over the next two or three days. It also gives the boy an opportunity to get a feel for our football club.

"He's not signed yet but he's a player with real quality, who could go into any environment and do well. A deal could happen before Sunday, if it's something that can work for both parties. Our club is always interested in good quality and Sander's a good age as well. He ticks a lot of boxes. Could he be involved on Sunday? I'll cross that bridge if we sign him."

Lennon admitted, however, that defender Lee Mair, one of three survivors from the Paisley team that lost the 2010 final to Rangers, is unlikely to feature this weekend. Lennon, who missed out on the 1994 final with Raith Rovers due to injury, empathised with the player. "Lee's struggling and my heart goes out to him," the manager said. "It was similar to myself. He's got a stomach injury and will go and see a specialist. But he'll do everything he can to make it."

Lennon hopes that the trip to Fife will help the players relax as much as anything. "We're going up to train but we've got the usual stuff on as well – quizzes, a couple of meals together, and a game of golf, although the snow might put a dampener on it. We'll have a snowball fight if we can't play golf.

"I certainly believe these breaks are important. When you go away it puts a real importance on the game. It certainly did for me as a player. I'm sure they love their loved ones dearly but it gives them the opportunity to focus on the job in hand because we want to keep it as low-key as we can."

Taken from the Herald