TOMMY CRAIG is hoping the international break will see some key players regain fitness as his St Mirren side moved out of the SPFL Premiership relegation zone with a 2-1 win at St Johnstone.

The Buddies moved into 10th place in the table with their second win of the season thanks to goals from defender Jason Naismith and substitute Adam Drury.

However, they had to do it without Jeroen Tesselaar (hamstring), Ellis Plummer (groin), Gary Teale (knock) and Isaac Osbourne (shin), who were again missing, while Steven Thompson (groin) is still sidelined.

Craig is hoping some of them will be back when they host Inverness on October 18.

He said: "The break gives us a real bit of breathing space now. We have got five experienced players, Thompson, Teale, Tesselaar, Plummer and Osbourne out, guys who, on any given day could be picked. So it has come at a good time.

"But I was delighted with the win. We have played better this season and lost. Some of the performances this season have been better than that. I suppose in a way we are getting a wee break.

"We were just delighted to get three points at such a difficult place. What they have shown throughout the campaign, as early as it is, they have shown a real desire and belief in what we are trying to do.

"You go to Aberdeen in midweek and get a point, which is difficult at any time, and get three against St Johnstone. It certainly tells me that they are up for the fight."

Naismith opened the scoring in 28 minutes with a fantastic strike but the visitors were pegged back by a Steve Anderson header in the second half.

But five minutes from time Drury grabbed the winner.