PREVIEW: Saints v Hearts

Saints welcome Hearts to McDiarmid Park tomorrow evening in the Ladbrokes Premiership looking to extend the current unbeaten run to seven matches.

Tommy Wright will take charge of his 250th match as Saints manager and his side could leapfrog Craig Levein's men with a victory.

The manager is expecting a tough match but is confident that if his players can put in another good performance on Wednesday night then they can come out on top against the Tynecastle outfit.

"They started the season really well," the manager said, "and they were top of the league and unbeaten in the early stages.

"As can happen to anyone in this league they've hit a bit of a rough patch. Their form hasn't been great of late but I don't think that makes the game tomorrow night any easier.

"They're a strong team and they have players with real quality and pace. They also have a physicality about them and they like to get the ball forward and into the box.

"I think it will be a different game this time around and we'll be looking to press them early doors and start the game on the front foot. It'll be a tough game but if we put in another good performance I know we're a match for anyone."

Having suffered defeat at Tynecastle back in September, the manager is looking for his players to put in a better display and feels like the break at the weekend will benefit his side.

"The last time we played we'd come off the back of a tough match with Celtic and I thought we looked a bit leggy. We conceded two goals from set plays which was disappointing but I actually thought towards the end of the game we had the best chances and could possibly have nicked something.

"Obviously this time around we're going into the game fresh after having the weekend off. We're also the home team and in great form so I think it's going to be a different game."

On the injury front, Saints will be without winger Drey Wright for the remainder of the season and the manager has other injury concerns going into the match.

"Losing Drey is a big blow and we've also got Steven Anderson, Brian Easton and Conor Mitchell sidelined on Wednesday.

"We may also be without Danny Swanson who is struggling with a knock. I'm hoping he'll be available but we just have to wait and see. If he's not fit for the Hearts game he should be back for Aberdeen away on Saturday.

"Our team selection has been pretty consistent in recent weeks but we have the players to make changes when required. It's also an opportunity in the case of Drey being out for another player to come in and make an impact.

"Every player that is signed and in that first-team dressing room is there because I believe they are good enough. So it's up to the players who get an opportunity to grab it with both hands and keep their place."

Kick-off at McDiarmid Park tomorrow is 7:45PM and the referee is Andrew Dallas.