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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Stephen Robinson provides St Mirren injury boost as transfer state of play explained

Stephen Robinson has revealed St Mirren could be boosted by the return of Caolan Boyd-Munce and Mika Mandron against Hibernian.

The duo missed the Conference League qualifying triumph over Valur on Thursday as they nursed knocks.

However, the pair have returned to training and could feature in the Scottish Premiership curtain-raiser on Sunday.

Boyd-Munce had been sidelined after a knock in the first leg in Reykjavik with fears over a longer lay-off while Mandron failed a late fitness test on Thursday.

"We're hopeful of having Caolan Boyd-Munce available and Mika Mandron again this weekend, which will boost our numbers," said Robinson.

“It’s more a back issue so hopefully Mika will be available. He’ll try tomorrow and if he reacts well to that then he’ll be available.

"Caolan did a little bit today and will do so again tomorrow. We’re waiting to see if they have any reaction to training.

"Mika has only missed one day, while Caolan has missed four or five. Both shouldn’t be worried about fitness, it’s just whether they’re ready to go.”


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Robinson's test now will be to balance European football with the standard rigours of domestic competition as Hibs head to Paisley.

The St Mirren boss has built a talented squad but remains somewhat limited in numbers with quality over quantity preferred in the 20-man outfield selection.

The club earned an extra €375k from their progression in Europe - a minimum income of €900k is now guaranteed - with a two-legged tie against SK Brann in the third qualifying round later this month.

However, Robinson has insisted he won't compromise on the wage structure at St Mirren despite the added income.

"I think our numbers are low. I think they are very low for a team in Europe," he said. "We've only really got 20 outfield first-team players but I believe we have got a lot of quality within that 20.

"We could have 26 players and six or seven of them have no chance of really playing, where I believe we haver 20 players who are really competing for places and can keep us really strong.

"It's up to myself to find that balance, the number of changes and people coming in that are ready to go. It's up to me and the staff to make sure we get that right."

On whether European football would provide scope to add to the squad, Robinson said: "It's not a discussion - the discussion has been had! Keith and the board run the club very prudently, which they have to.

"If there are people that become available within our budget that we can make the squad stronger or the starting XI stronger with then everyone is really open to a conversation.

"But I won't bring people in just to fill numbers. I want to bring people in that I believe will either fill a void missing in the squad or can be really competitive within that squad."

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