Knee injury sidelines Saint Mirren striker Craig Dargo

Dargo has been unlucky with injuries in recent years

By John Barnes

St Mirren's Craig Dargo has suffered a knee injury that makes him a doubt for Saturday's visit to Kilmarnock.

The 32-year-old striker missed the start of the season because of injury, but he scored the only goal against Hibernian two weeks ago.

St Mirren assistant manager Iain Jenkins said: "I know exactly the way he's feeling because I had it when I was a player.

"It was demoralising but Craig's a good little fella to have around the club."

And Jenkins added: "He's very upbeat all the time and I'm sure he'll bounce back. Let's just hope it's not too serious."

Last year Dargo, a former Raith, Kilmarnock and Inverness goalscorer, was sidelined for a month by a shoulder injury early in the season.

The Saints assistant manager is pleased with the start they have made this term and after the international break he hopes they can continue where they left off against Hibernian.

"We would rather our next game had been last Saturday, especially being upbeat around the training ground after the Hibs game," insisted Jenkins.

"It was a Catch-22.

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"We wanted the game to come so quickly yet we wanted injured players to get themselves fit. Overall I'd say it was probably bad timing."

Jenkins says the element of surprise as teams try to gel in the first round of SPL fixtures means it's harder for coaches to assess the opposition.

"The first encounter with every team you meet is going to be the hardest. You sort of get a level after the second and third games of who you're up against and how they play and what their weaknesses are.

"There's a lot of time spent with the DVDs and the big screen at the moment."

Midfielder Steven Thomson is back in the squad after being injured in the opening game of the season.