St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson has moved to sign Zdenek Zlamal to ease his Scottish Cup semi-final selection headaches.
The Czech keeper comes in on an emergency loan from Hearts for a week and will go into the travelling squad for Sunday’s Hampden clash against St Mirren.
Zlamal, ironically, had a similar spell with the Buddies earlier in the season when they were hit with a Covid-19 outbreak.
Davidson made the move as Zander Clark has been struggling with an injury but is expected to play at Hampden on Sunday.
A St Johnstone statement confirmed: "The club has today completed the emergency seven-day loan signing of Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal.
"We are extremely grateful to Hearts for turning this around on such short notice."
Back-up keepers Elliot Parish and Ross Sinclair are also unavailable and that would only have left teenager Jack Wills as back-up.
That could be a major issue if Clark, the hero of the last round after his assist for the equaliser and then his penalty saves helped to knock-out Rangers, is unable to see out the Hampden clash.
Davidson already goes into the game with four of his first-team squad unavailable.
Two have tested positive for Covid-19 and two others have had to self-isolate.
Saints are hoping to upset the odds and their nightmare preparations to try and make the Scottish Cup final and give them a chance of a cup double.
The Saints beat Livingston in February to lift the Betfred Cup.
