Melker Hallberg set to leave St Johnstone after being ruled out for the season

MELKER HALLBERG may have played his final game for St Johnstone. 

The Swede missed last weekend’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock with a hamstring injury and is set to be absent for their final two clashes of the campaign. 

Boss Steven MacLean, who looks certain to be confirmed as the club’s new gaffer after leading them to safety, won’t have Hallberg available for Wednesday’s trip to Ross County or the clash with Livingston on Sunday. 

Hallberg, 27, is out of contract this summer and appears likely to move on after eighteen months at McDiarmid Park. 

The ex-Hibsman has been instrumental in their survival bids over the last two seasons but could now depart in search of a fresh challenge. 

MacLean was also without midfielder Dan Phillips at Rugby Park after he suffered a hamstring tweak. 

But hopes are high that the Trinidad and Tobago international could feature in the Highlands or against Livi. 

His place was taken by Cammy Ballantyne, who came in for his first Premiership start and impressed, so the 23-year-old - who has been on loan to Montrose for three seasons - is now firmly in the reckoning for regular games. 

MacLean last weekend guided Saints to their second win since taking charge following Callum Davidson's sacking.

Long regarded as a boss of the future, the 2014 Scottish Cup hero - number two during the 2021 double season - is odds-on to be handed the reins on a permanent basis.

Club owner Geoff Brown has put Saints up for sale but they haven't found a buyer yet, so plans are set to be put in place for the next 12 months at least.

And securing the manager's future will be the first task in a raft of moves McDiarmid Park bosses have to make over the next few weeks.