Saints face a fight to extend Paul Dummett’s loan deal until the end of the season after the young defender was ordered to return to Newcastle United.
Talented left-back Dummett’s current loan spell at St Mirren ends on Sunday and he has now returned to the English club for an assessment.
Buddies boss Danny Lennon is keen for the Wales Under-21 star to return to Paisley for the rest of the season but, with the Magpies suffering a mounting injury list in defence, the matter may be taken out of his hands.
Lennon said: “Paul is away back down to Newcastle to speak to the people there.
“They want to assess him when his loan deal expires and it’s up on Sunday.