Wright welcomes Locke return

But the Saints boss is aiming to deliver a crushing blow to Locke's hopes of leading Kilmarnock into the top six and thus persuading the Killie board to hand him the manager's role beyond the summer.

St Johnstone can move seven points clear of eight-placed Killie on Saturday if they win at McDiarmid Park.

Kilmarnock are unbeaten in three games since Locke replaced Allan Johnston and got another chance to lead a team in the Scottish Premiership following his controversial exit from Hearts.

Wright said: "I think most people in the game would think Gary was very unlucky with the situation that happened at Hearts but he has been in the game long enough to know that things like that can happen. It's not always the good guys get the right decisions.

"He is someone I have got on really well with since I came to Scotland. And he is doing a good job under difficult circumstances because they have a few injuries and taking over from Allan as well was probably something he had to give some thought.

"But I'm sure he is in there trying to fight to do as well as he can for Kilmarnock and hopefully get the job as well."

Simon Lappin is out of St Johnstone's squad. The midfielder suffered knee ligament damage against Dundee United last weekend and will be out for three to four weeks.

But Murray Davidson has trained after missing the Tannadice win with a calf injury and on-loan United striker Brian Graham is back in the squad.

Kilmarnock will be without Mark Connolly and Jamie Hamill, with both set to miss the remainder of the Scottish Premiership campaign.

Defender Connolly has a broken collarbone, while midfielder Hamill has undergone ankle surgery and joins Michael Ngoo (ankle) on the sidelines.

Playmaker Alexei Eremenko returns from suspension while striker Lee Miller (knee) could also feature after six weeks out.

Kilmarnock defender Mark O'Hara knows the Rugby Park youngsters will get a chance to flourish under Locke after watching him plant the seeds of Hearts' title bid .

Locke blooded most of the Gorgie side that are currently romping their way towards the Scottish Championship crown and promotion back to the top flight.

But now that he is in charge at Killie, O'Hara knows he will get his chance to shine.

The 19-year-old made just one appearance before Christmas but then had a run of six games in the month leading up to former boss Allan Johnston being relieved of his command.

Another month on the sidelines then followed before he was recalled by new manager Locke for last week's 3-3 draw with Inverness.

That Highland stalemate was another sign of the Ayrshire men's growing confidence but they did suffer a blow with the news that centre-half Connolly would miss the rest of the season with a broken collarbone.

O'Hara is hoping his place is now secure but knows he will be given every opportunity to prove his readiness by the new man in charge.

He told Press Association Sport: "I wouldn't say it's been frustrating because I've been involved with the first team all season. But hopefully now I can start getting a bit more game time under my belt.

"I've had a wee run in the team since Christmas. Before that, we were going through a wee bad patch and the manager at the time decided he would go with the more experienced lads. It was working so I couldn't have any complaints.

"But injuries again have given me another chance. Now I need to take it.

"It's a big chance for all the young boys to showcase themselves.

"The new manager is not scared to put the young boys in. He showed at Hearts that he believes if you are good enough, you are old enough.

"That's a positive for the young guys like me. We know if we work hard there is every chance we will get into the side."