Nicky Clark hoping to make the cut for St Johnstone in Kilmarnock clash

Nicky Clark is raring for a St Johnstone start against Livingston on Wednesday night after returning from a calf injury to score against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who missed the start of the season with an ankle problem, picked up the most recent injury six weeks ago against Ross County after scoring three goals in the previous three games.

The former Rangers and Dundee United striker came off the bench against Killie with the McDiarmid Park men losing 2-0 and made a quick impact, heading in a Matt Smith free-kick, albeit the home side held out for three valuable cinch Premiership points.

Clark said: “It was frustrating for me, coming back, scoring a couple of goals feeling good and when that happens it is another setback.

“But as I say, I have worked really hard, I have got myself back to a good level now and so it is all about getting minutes on the pitch.

“I got 30 or something against Kilmarnock so I am feeling good and raring to go on Wednesday night.

“I feel fine. Obviously I managed to get a few weeks’ training this time.

“It has been frustrating for me, coming back after a long time and I think it was four games in two weeks and it caught up with me and I had another wee injury (against Ross County). But as I said I have had a few weeks training and I am feeling good.

“We have not rushed it. I spoken to the manager and Kirky (assistant manager Andy Kirk) about that.

“I have made sure I have been proper ready to go this time. I am feeling good so hopefully I can help the team out now.”

Clark is hoping for a better start to the game against Livi after losing two goals in 17 minutes at Rugby Park.

He said: “The first 20 minutes kills us. We never started, we never played the way we have been playing but more importantly we never competed at all.

“We find ourselves 2-0 down, backs against the wall but to be fair, the boys showed a bit of character to come back in the second half and towards the end I think there was only one team going to score but unfortunately we couldn’t get it.

“There was a slip-up against Kilmarnock but as I say there is a massive game on Wednesday night and we have to get ready for that.”