Morris facing fight to be fit

Morris: May be fit

St Johnstone are waiting on the fitness of Jody Morris in the hope that he will be fit for their opening game of the Scottish Premier League season.

The 31-year-old has been recovering from a hernia operation following the Saints' eighth-place finish in the top flight last season, and is hoping to be fit for their opening game of the new season against Hearts on 14th August.

According to the club's official website, the former Chelsea and Leeds midfielder has been playing with the injury towards the end of last season, before deciding an operation would be needed if he was to be able to start from the get-go in just under two months' time.

"With the operation successfully completed, hopes are now high that a fully-fit Jody will be ready to take his place when the SPL gets under way, although he will likely be unable to play a full part when pre-season training gets under way with a week-long training camp in Warwick," the website stated.

Meanwhile, manager Derek McInnes has admitted that his side face a difficult start to the season after being scheduled to face Hearts and champions Rangers in two of their opening three matches.

"Five out of the opening seven games are against sides that finished in the top six last season so it's not exactly an easy start but it is a set of fixtures we will relish."