Injury setback for Chris Kane but St Johnstone striker has post-split fixtures return target

St Johnstone striker Chris Kane has suffered another injury setback.

But manager Callum Davidson still hopes the double cup-winner will be back in the running for post-split fixtures.

Kane, influential for Saints in their 2021 season of success, has not played a competitive game in 14 months – the majority because of a knee injury.

He has also been dealt a couple of blows which have hindered progress more recently, including a thigh problem and now a calf issue.

“Unfortunately for Chris we need to reset his target dates, which is frustrating for him,” manager Callum Davidson said this week.

“We need to get him back on the training pitch – as we did before – then hopefully he doesn’t pick up any more wee niggles.

“We can target the split. His calf injury is not a bad one. It’s just trying to get his training load right.

“We would love to see him back out on the pitch with the first team because he has been a big miss for the last 14 months.

“He was a key player for us and hopefully he gets up to speed quickly. It is important for him for next season too.”

Davidson added: “It has been tough for Chris. He works extremely hard.

“We thought he was struggling, then he was out playing a friendly against Arbroath but then he hurt his thigh and now his calf.

“We just need to make sure he is ready to train and play games. It will be a big bonus to get him back. We have definitely missed him.

“He was a really important player before he got injured. He was instrumental in the two cup wins.”