BUDDIES boss Jim Goodwin insists he has no worries about how his players will cope with a gruelling set of fixtures during February.

The Paisley club’s schedule sees them play eight matches in 25 days this month, with the gaffer relying on his sports science and medical staff to help him with team selection.

Goodwin said: “We will change the squad as often as I feel is necessary and I will be supported by the sports science team and medical team.

“They give me all the data and, if one or two players are looking like they are on the verge of injury, then I’ve got to make that decision to rest them.”

Saints ended January in spectacular style by defeating Celtic 2-1 in Glasgow on Saturday, with Kristian Dennis and Ilkay Durmus on target for the visitors.

However, the players didn’t have much time to celebrate, with Hibernian arriving in Paisley last night.

Next up for the Buddies is a home match against Kilmarnock and they will also play Celtic again, as well as Aberdeen, Hamilton, Livingston, Motherwell and Ross County, before the end of the month.

With such a heavy schedule, Goodwin will have no qualms about rotating his squad.

And, with all but one of February’s fixtures being played in Paisley, he wants his players to make home advantage count.

“The boys love playing here at the stadium,” Goodwin said. “It is a busy month. We have played a lot of football of late and it is getting busier and busier as the weeks go on.

“We have got a good enough squad, I think, to cope with it.”

Goodwin added strikers Collin Quaner and Eamonn Brophy to his squad during the January transfer window, while Junior Morias left to join Boreham Wood and Sam Foley made the switch to Motherwell.

And the Saints gaffer is hoping all of his players will be eager to impress if they get the chance to stake their claim for a regular first team slot in the coming weeks.

“At this moment in time, it’s impossible for the same 11 to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday,” said Goodwin.

“Nowadays there is far too much scientific evidence to back up the fact that you run the risk of injuries if you do that.

“The great thing for me is whoever comes in knows exactly what is asked of them. I have good quality players in the squad.”