Hendrie hopes for a lifeline against United

St Mirren manager Tom Hendrie insists his players are confident they can take a giant step towards saving themselves from relegation against Dundee United.

Saints play hosts to United knowing that the four-point advantage the visitors possess can be whittled down to just one by a home win.

That would go a long way towards ensuring an exciting finish to the season at the wrong end of the table, with a further 12 points available to each team after tonight.

Victory for United however would all but settle the issue in their favour, and the Tannadice men possess a superior goal difference as well.

Hendrie said: "It's a huge game for both clubs and I think there will also be a big crowd.

"It's almost a do-or-die game, although we won't be officially relegated if we lose.

"Our home form has been reasonably good of late and it is a game the players have been looking forward to.

"And it's also a game the players feel they can win.

"We have prepared as well as we could do and although sometimes in big games players under-perform because of the pressure we are hoping that whatever type of game it turns out to be we can get a result."

A constant stream of injuries to a small squad is one reason why Saints have struggled so much in the top flight this season.

But Hendrie will have more players at his disposal than at any other point in the campaign.

That's not the case for United boss Alex Smith, who will be without midfield playmakers Charlie Miller and young right-back Jamie McCunnie through suspension.

Hendrie said: "Alex Smith has been able to play the same 10 or 11 players for the last two or three months and that brings an understanding.

"They have to make at least two changes and that might upset their rhythm."

Of course, injuries are not the sole reasons why Saints are bottom - a chronic failure to hit the net, especially away from home, has been just as prevalent throughout the campaign.

But Hendrie was ever-hopeful that tonight would see that change.

He said: "We have not managed to convert possession into chances and when we have had chances we have not managed to convert them into goals.

"It is so essential to score goals and, you never know, we might get the breaks tonight that we haven't had all season."