St Johnstone striker Nicky Clark fully appreciates Stevie May's talent and can't wait to link-up again next season

Nicky Clark is planning to reignite his strike partnership with Stevie May next season.

The experienced forward, who netted a number of vital goals for St Johnstone, was ruled out for the latter part of the last campaign due to an ankle injury.

But he is fighting fit now and, after enjoying a short break from work, is raring to go for the wonders of pre-season.

He had previously dovetailed nicely with May and said: “Personally, I have really enjoyed my time so far and long may that continue.

“I hit the ground running with Stevie when I came in. We complement each other with the way we play.

“I’m sure if we get together again, the two of us will score a few goals next season. When I came in I knew Stevie was a great player and I said that to the boys.

“But I maybe didn’t realise just how good he was with his feet, how he turns and his finishing.

“I’ve been really impressed with him - and he does my running for me!

“He has bags of energy and I don’t know where he gets it. I wish I had half of it.”

Clark admits it was tough watching from the stands as Saints battled to beat the drop.

“It was going well for me before I got the injury,” Clark recalls.

“It was just a freak one in training where I landed awkwardly — I knew right away it was a bad one.

“I got a scan about a week and a half later and it came back how we expected.

“I had the operation and then it is frustrating as a footballer being out of action.

“But I was actually almost back at the end of the season.

“I progressed well and was back running around three or four weeks ahead of schedule. I then had a wee setback so we made the decision to leave it until pre-season.”

He continued: “It was horrible watching. It must be a nightmare for fans because I was a nervous