St Johnstone 3 - 1 Falkirk

McInnes puts points above prizes

Updated: October 30, 2009, 5:42 PM UK

Derek McInnes insists his St Johnstone team will put aside dreams of cup glory to concentrate on crucial Clydesdale Bank Premier League points when they welcome rock-bottom Falkirk to McDiarmid Park.

The Perth men won through to their fourth major cup semi-final in four years with a 2-1 home win over Dundee United in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Tuesday night.

However, a victory for the struggling Bairns, with four points from nine games and still looking for their first SPL win of the season, would see them leapfrog St Johnstone, who are only two points ahead.

Jody Morris has recovered from a virus in time for the clash at McDiarmid Park but midfielder Martin Hardie (calf) and striker Collin Samuel (knock) are extremely doubtful, as is midfielder Kevin Moon (ankle).

Striker Steven Milne is still out with an ankle injury.

"No team has greater need for points than us,'' Saints boss McInnes told Press Association Sport.

"We are in desperate need of a win because we have nowhere near enough points yet.

"We have two games to play before we have completed the first quarter of the league season and we need points for the target I privately set the team.

"You have to work hard for everything you get.''

He continued: "Falkirk worked extremely hard for the point they got at Tynecastle last week and they have good players who have SPL experience.

"So we need to work hard to make sure the points stay in Perth.

"But we go in to the game in buoyant mood after the cup win over Dundee United in midweek.''

Saints have four cup wins to one SPL victory this season, but McInnes played down notions of his side being more of a cup side.

"There is nothing to read in to it,'' he said. "We won the First Division last season and we didn't have a cup run.

"The performances in the cup and league have not been any different this season.''

Alex MacDonald is determined to fire Falkirk off the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, after responding to manager Eddie May's fitness warning.

The on-loan Burnley striker is set to face Saints having made his first start since August during Saturday's goalless draw at Hearts.

The 19-year-old's return followed a heart-to-heart with May when he was told to improve his stamina, and his lifestyle.

MacDonald responded by adapting his diet and undergoing individual training sessions with coach Steven Pressley to shed pounds and get back in the manager's plans.

"Previously he wasn't in any physical condition to start a game,'' said May.

"We pointed that out to him. To his credit, he has come back in good condition - and we're seeing the benefit on the park.

"Fair play to Alex - he shouldn't be in that condition in the first place but he has adapted.

"Alex is young and he has come away from home - he has experienced a different lifestyle - so sometimes it takes a bit of adapting as a young boy.

"Alex knows where he wants to go, and he certainly knows where we want to take him.''

MacDonald, on a six-month loan from Burnley, said: "It's brilliant to be back playing.

"I needed to get fitter. But now all that's behind me I hope it's onwards and upwards from here.

"I lost some fitness, so some extra work on the training ground has worked.

"It was just me and `Elvis' at times out there. He has worked me very hard, and now I'm seeing the benefits.''

Burton O'Brien has been ruled out for Falkirk with a stomach muscle strain.

May will give late fitness tests to Danijel Marceta, Brian McLean and Ryan Flynn, who all picked up heavy knocks in the goalless draw with Hearts.

Carl Finnigan (ankle) and Thomas Scobbie (pelvis) remain on the sidelines.