Image source, SNSSt Mirren winger Malik Dijksteel is a fitness doubt while captain Mark O'Hara is battling to be involved at some stage after six weeks out with a foot problem.
Celtic winger James Forrest is closing in on a return, while Marcelo Saracchi, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand (all hamstring), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) and Jota (knee) remain out.
Image source, SNSReminders of legends are "all over all the walls" at St Mirren's stadium and Marcus Fraser has challenged the current team to write their own "chapter in the club's history" by winning the Premier Sports Cup.
The Buddies are bidding for their first trophy since the 2013 League Cup success when they face new boss Wilfried Nancy's Celtic at Hampden on Sunday.
Speaking at St Mirren's stadium, Fraser noted the photographs of several successful players and sides, including the 1987 Scottish Cup-winning team and the most recent trophy-winning side of 12 years ago.
The 31-year-old defender, who started his career at Celtic, said: "We've not been really speaking about it, but I think as you can tell, they're all over the walls.
"So you can kind of pick that up for yourself, that you understand how big a game it is and what can happen a few years down the line.
"In 10, 20 years, people will probably still be talking about it [a win] and you can obviously write your own chapter in the club's history.
"So I think that's one of the key aspects that we want to do, really grab the opportunity with two hands and if we can get up on that wall, then in a few years' time, when you walk by it, that would be a great feeling."
Fraser won the trophy with Ross County in 2016 when they beat Hibernian 2-1 and is looking to claim a second winners' medal with Stephen Robinson's side.
He said: "Obviously I was a bit younger back then and you kind of look back and realise the day that you had. It was absolutely brilliant and that's what you want.
"Obviously from a personal point of view, I want to just try and win again and that would be brilliant.
"Every footballer wants to be successful. These moments don't come along in your career all the time, so when it does, you want to grab it with both hands.
"I think when you're younger in your career, sometimes you think that [cup wins] maybe is a norm, but that's not the case.
"You need to sacrifice a lot and really work hard to get here and it's taken me almost 10 years down the line or whatever, so there's been a lot of hard work."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
The BBC's Question Time programme came from Paisley, aka Scotland's town of the year, this week.
I caught most of it, before nodding off as I usually do at that time of night.
As far as I'm aware the host Fiona Bruce didn't canvass panel members about who they thought would win the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday.
If she had, the answer might have been the only thing they agreed on all night (well, the Celtic supporters at least.) Mind you, one or two of the politicians might have tried to please the Buddies in the audience at the town hall with a grandstanding speech in support of the Paisley Saints.
For despite Wilfried Nancy being the first Celtic manager to lose his opening two games, his team will be favourites at Hampden as one would expect.
Celtic are the holders, they've won the competition more often than any other club, they'll have the vast majority of the crowd behind them, haven't lost to the Buddies in their past 15 meetings, and have already beaten them twice this season.
And yet.
Those two Celtic victories have been 1-0 wins. Last-gasp affairs, especially the recent match at the SMISA, settled by a stoppage-time showstopper from Callum McGregor.
St Mirren had a goal chalked off after a VAR check and Conor McMemamin struck the post - so Stephen Robinson's side could count themselves unfortunate not to take at least a point. Let's not forget either it took a deflected Luke McCowan shot to separate the teams on the opening weekend of the season at Celtic Park.
It's also worth pointing out that while the champions are having a wobble, St Mirren have ended a three match-losing streak with four points from matches against Aberdeen and Dundee United. So things are definitely looking up from a Buddies perspective.
Let's not forget too that while Nancy's managerial career is in its early stages with players trying to get to grips with his tactics and formation, Robinson's modus operandi is tried, tested and successful.
Compared to Celtic, St Mirren's League Cup journey this season has been an epic one in which they've enjoyed some of their best results, with wins over Premiership sides Hearts, Kilmarnock and Motherwell in the knockout stage.
Maybe the town of the year will have something else to celebrate on Sunday night.
Little wonder supporters have taken to displaying banners which read 'Faith Over Fear'.
Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSSt Mirren will contest their first final in 12 years when they take on holders Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup showpiece at Hampden on Sunday.
Here's how Stephen Robinson's men made it to the final.
Group D winners
St Mirren's journey to Hampden began all the way back in July, in the group stages. After a goalless draw in their opener against Arbroath, who snatched the bonus point with a shootout victory, the Buddies beat Forfar 2-1 then skelped Annan 8-2, helped by a hat-trick from Mikael Mandron.
A 2-1 closing victory over Ayr, thanks to Killian Phillips' double, earned top spot with 10 points from 12.
Second round: St Mirren 1-1 Hearts (5-4 on pens)
The Paisley side had their work cut out against high-flying Premiership leaders Hearts in round two.
Alex Gogic put Saints ahead before half-time, only for Oisin McEntee to level with just over 10 minutes to play. The tie went the distance and Shamal George's save from Claudio Braga's penalty in the shootout proved decive as the Buddies squeezed through.
Quarter-final: Kilmarnock 2-2 St Mirren (3-5 on pens)
Yet again St Mirren had to progress on spot-kicks. Mandron and Jayden Richardson struck either side of Robbie Deas' equaliser but a late penalty from Bruce Anderson took the tie to a shootout.
Malik Dijksteel capitalised on Kyle Magennis' miss for the hosts to set up a semi-final against Motherwell.
Semi-final: Motherwell 1-4 St Mirren
The Buddies had no reason to fear as they cruised past Jens Berthel Askou's highly-praised Steelmen and were two to the good at half-time thanks to Mandron and Dan Nlundulu.
Callum Hendry pulled one back late on but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback as Robinson's side found another two goals courtesy of Richard King and Mandron.
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson is urging St Mirren to have "faith over fear" in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic at Hampden.
It's the Buddies' first cup final since winning the competition in 2013 and Robinson wants his players to embrace the occasion and make themselves legends.
St Mirren picked up their first league win since September with a 2-0 victory over Dundee United in Paisley last weekend, while Celtic lost 2-1 to Hearts in Wilfried Nancy's managerial debut.
St Mirren have faced Celtic twice this season, losing 1-0 to a late goal each time.
"The fans put up on all the banners, faith over fear," said manager Robinson.
"Really believe in what we can do. We've earned the right to be here. We started the competition way, way back, it feels like about five years ago now, but such a long time ago, so we've earned that right.
"What I have iterated to them is you have to have faith and the how do you have faith? Show them what they've done. And we've constantly spoken about ourselves, we've constantly shown how we've created problems for Celtic.
"There will be a nervous energy, of course. We aren't Celtic who get to every cup final or every other cup final.
"So we have to embrace the day and enjoy the day but most of all what I coin it with is have faith over fear. Really believe in the system, in each other, in the staff, and the stuff we've put on in preparation.
"We know the players do, we know they believe in that. We've got results in the last couple of weeks, it's given us the faith that we're back on track again.
"We go into the game with full of hope, full of anticipation and, as I say, the faith that we can achieve a result.
"We see all the photographs of the teams that have been very, very successful here and won trophies and they're held in such high regard. What I try and do is to tell the players 'We want your names there, we want your pictures there.'
"They've got their pictures up for the European achievements, for the top-six achievements, now we want them up [for winning the cup]. We want them to be remembered, we want them to be recognised everywhere they go for the rest of their life.
"That's the opportunity we have and that is the driving force."
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has been speaking to the media as St Mirren prepare to face Celtic in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup final.
Here are the key lines from the Buddies boss:
Robinson reveals he's bought a new suit for the occasion while the players "chose not to" in an effort to "treat it as a normal game".
The St Mirren boss says the "special occasion happens afterwards if you manage to get a result" but this week the players "didn't want any fuss".
The Buddies will "try and get it right" on Sunday and "embrace" the occasion.
Robinson stresses his players "may never get this opportunity again", drawing on his own experience of only reaching one cup final as a player but "always thinking another one would come".
The Northern Irishman stresses "I know what I want to do" on the pitch on Sunday and feels he's picked "nine out of the 11 players" but will be attending Celtic's game against Roma tonight to watch.
Mark O'Hara has been training but the cup final "may be a game too soon" for the captain and Robinson says it would be "a huge call" to start.
But Robinson "would love" the captain to be "100% fit" and "be involved in some way for the final".
He's urging his players to have "faith over fear" and "really believe in what we can do," adding "we've earned the right to be here".
He wants to make his players realise "they can be remembered forever".
St Mirren haven't been practising spot-kicks but Robinson says in Shamal George they have a "very, very good goalkeeper who saves penalties" should it get to that stage on Sunday.
Robinson admits he "is a dreamer" and "lives in a dream most of the time" but insists "you have to dream" because "these occasions come around rarely".
Malik Dijksteel is a doubt for the final after picking up an injury in training.
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has been studying Celtic counterpart Wilfried Nancy, who has just been appointed, before the pair will be in opposing dugouts for Sunday's Premier Sports Cup final. (Herald - subscription required), external
Mark Jardine
Fan writer
What a difference a game makes.
Searching for a league victory since late September and frustrated at every turn, Stephen Robinson called on (and prepared) his side to do the ugly bit and get back to what has served them so well in recent years.
There have been better and tidier performances in Paisley and afar in this long winless run, but few as ruthless - and it showed.
For what feels like the first time since Ryan Strain's searching back-post cross met the boot of Scott Tanser on the volley at Fir Park more than a season ago, wing-backs combined to get the Buddies on the scoresheet.
Declan John stood an inviting ball high towards the far side of the away box, and Conor McMenamin rose to bury a header with the confidence level of someone not striving for their first goal of the season in early December.
Where Jim Goodwin's side did find openings, they were denied by Shamal George in a fine performance. On the back of a tough night for the goalkeeper at Pittodrie, amid the toughest of weeks personally, George demonstrated admirable strength which drew the praise of his manager and the watching crowd in equal measure.
And, because we know all too well that one goal is rarely enough, Keanu Baccus seized on a loose ball to fire home his first goal since returning to Scotland in the summer.
The 11 players that took the field on Saturday afternoon did not do so in perfect form nor in perfect circumstances, many recovering from injuries, deputising for first-choice colleagues or in search of their past form.
With a cup final now awaiting at end of week, the group must surely have felt the weight of putting in a performance, individually and collectively, as well as securing the three points needed to raise the mood in Paisley once again.
The Saints met this demand, then watched a reshuffled Celtic toil to defeat in a muddy, punishing Glasgow battle on Sunday. This, in a nutshell, is what Buddies hope for next weekend.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators are to picket Hampden Park prior to the Premier Sports Cup final next Sunday between Celtic and St Mirren because of the recent sponsorship deal for the national stadium with banking giant Barclays. (The Herald), external
Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.
St Mirren's 2-0 win over Dundee United was "a perfect example" of what currently separates the two sides, according to former Aberdeen, Rangers and St Johnstone full-back Richard Foster.
The hosts' opener came from "poor defending at the back post" and the second came from a goalkeeping error.
"You don't really see that often from St Mirren," Foster told BBC Scotland's Sportscene.
He suggested centre-half Bert Esselink was at fault as St Mirren midfielder Conor McMenamin met a cross at the back post to head powerfully past goalkeeper Dave Richards.
"You are expecting your defender to at least challenge for the ball," Foster said.
The second came from what "should be a relatively simple save" from Richards, who has replaced Yevhen Kucherenko in goal after the Ukrainian's own recent errors.
At the other end, striker Zac Sapsford fired against Shamal George when through one-on-one with the goalkeeper then sent a powerful free-kick against the crossbar.
"That was the story of the game," Foster said. "When it's not your day, it's not your day.
"St Mirren took the chances that they created, albeit with help from the goalkeeping and defending, and Dundee United never."
Sportscene host Stephen Thompson added: "It's six without a win. They are finding it difficult to replicate that form they had last season and a lot of it is down to the defending. They look fragile. They are gifting goals to teams."
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Goalkeeper Shamal George came up with a big save at a crucial time as St Mirren earned an important three points against Dundee United.
Both he and teammate Miguel Freckleton make my team of the week.
Freckleton delivered real quality at the back as St Mirren earned a clean sheet.
Watch highlights of St Mirren's 2-0 win against Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
We asked for your views on St Mirren's 2-0 win against Dundee United.
Here's what some of you said:
Neil: Delighted to get the clean sheet and three points. Credit to Stephen Robinson for the changes, I thought Miguel Freckleton had an outstanding game.
Michael: Well done on an excellent result. Robinson took the decision to shake things up and reaped the rewards. Moving Alex Gogic to strengthen and control the midfield was masterful and he played like a trojan. Those who came in did their cause no harm. Well done St Mirren, now can we replicate for the cup final? I do hope so.
Stuart: Getting the early goal helped settle us. Marcus Fraser looking useful. United tidy but poor upfront. As usual, referee easily conned. And does anybody get penalised for foul throws nowadays?
Frank: Saints managed a win at last. It was a tense game. We score, celebrate then we all look at scoreboard waiting for VAR take it away. Not a single peep from VAR at this game. Referee was good until Saints score first goal then seemed to favour United after that, it's hard to see sometimes from the stands but some of those calls caused shocks in the stand.
Tony: I still get nervous even when we are 2-0 ahead at half time - we always seem capable of making a mistake which costs us. But this result against United now gives us confidence for a good performance in the League Cup final next week - Celtic have been lucky against us so far.
Alan: That was what we needed before the final next week, a win and a clean sheet. Definitely deserved the win overall, first half we played quite well and although we got a bit nervy in the second half, the second goal helped us breath a bit easier. Go out next week enjoy the final and then the up and coming league games after that, there are definitely points we could win.
Goals from Connor McMenamin and Keanu Baccus earned St Mirren a victory over Dundee United as Jim Goodwin's side continue their winless run.
Read the full match report here.
Have your say on the game via this link.
Image source, SNSSt Mirren manager Stephen Robinson told BBC Scotland: "It's a relief, there's no other way to put it. I'll enjoy it for 24 hours and then worry about the next game. We haven't won in a while, so there was a bit of apprehension coming into the game.
"We always say, If you keep clean sheets, then you'll win games. We stayed compact and solid. We know we need to play better than that. There wasn't much between the two teams, but we scored in good moments.
"I wish the win came a bit sooner, but we've now earned the right to enjoy this week. We'll train hard, and we'll go and watch Celtic a couple of times this week.
"The players have chosen not to wear suits for the final and don't want to go to hotels. The players want it to be as normal as possible, because they don't want any emotion involved in it. We're looking forward to it, we'll enjoy it afterwards if we get a result, but we'll certainly enjoy the build-up."
Image source, SNSSt Mirren midfielder Liam Donnelly is struggling with a knee injury and Declan John and Killian Phillips will be be assessed.
Captain Mark O'Hara is still sidelined with a foot issue that could cost him a place in next week's Premier Sports Cup final.
Dundee United midfielder Isaac Pappoe (knee) and goalkeeper Yevhen Kucherenko (calf) remain out.
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSSt Mirren captain Mark O'Hara is "struggling" to recover from a foot injury in time for the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic next Sunday.
The 29-year-old sustained the injury in the quarter-final against Kilmarnock in September but played the following four matches.
However, he hasn't featured since the semi-final win over Motherwell at the start of last month.
"O'Hara will probably be struggling for the cup final," said manager Stephen Robinson.
"He has just not responded at all to the treatment and injections so we're going to have to look maybe a little bit further into that."
There are also concerns over midfielders Killian Phillips and Liam Donnelly and wing-back Declan John, who will all have late fitness tests before St Mirren host Dundee United on Saturday.
Robinson is hopeful all three will be available for next week, but says the Hampden showpiece will not be prioritised over the battle to avoid relegation.
The Buddies are winless in eight Premiership matches, but rescued a point in midweek with a 99th-minute equaliser from defender Richard King against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
"The position we're in you have to solely concentrate on what's in front of you," added Robinson.
"We've got enough time to recover after the game, so I certainly wouldn't be looking to save people.
"It'll be what I feel will be the best team to win the game tomorrow against United.
"It's always been very, very close between the two teams. So certainly nobody will be saved for the cup final.
"Results are everything, you're judged on results, of course.
"When you're not getting them, you look at why you're not getting them. So that's why you look at statistics. But ultimately, the one thing that matters is winning football matches.
"Right now, we're in a battle to get away from the bottom of the league and then we'll take it every game as it comes."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSStephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren host Dundee United in the Premiership this weekend.
Here are the key points from the Buddies boss:
Captain Mark O'Hara is "struggling" to be fit for next weekend's League Cup final because of a foot injury that has kept him out for the past four matches.
There are also injury concerns over Killian Phillips, Declan John and Liam Donnelly, who will have late tests to assess their fitness for the game against United, but Robinson "hopes" they'll be back for the final.
Robinson insists no one will be "saved" for the final and he will put out what he feels "will be the best team to win the game" against United as Saints eye a first victory in nine league games.
He admits the last-gasp draw at Aberdeen in midweek "certainly felt like a victory" despite it being "arguably it was the worst we've played in the eight games". The comeback "showed the desire and belief" in his side, with Robinson adding: "I'd take a point at Pittodrie every day of the week."
The Buddies manager also says he'd "take another average performance" if it means getting a win against United because "results are everything".
He's looking for his players to "step up and be counted" and make a case to start the cup final against Celtic, adding: "Certainly a good performance will go a long way to help make sure you're in the team."
Image source, SNSSt Mirren have lost four of their past five Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (W1), as many as their previous 13 (W4 D5 L4).
Dundee United have won three of their past four top-flight visits to St Mirren (L1), as many as their previous 13 (W3 D9 L1).
St Mirren are winless in eight Scottish Premiership games (D2 L6) – their longest run in the competition since December 2021 (12), when they were managed by current United boss Jim Goodwin.
Dundee United are without a win in five league games (D3 L2). They last went longer without victory within a single season in the Scottish Premiership in April 2023 (11), which included Jim Goodwin's first four league fixtures in charge. They have never gone six without a win within a single season in the division under Goodwin.
Dundee United's Scottish Premiership games this season have featured the most shots (409), with the Tannadice men having 175 shots and facing 234 in their 14 matches. They have also had the most goals in their games (44), scoring 21 and conceding 23.
Sportscene pundit Neil McCann ponders St Mirren's troubles amid an eight-game winless league run as the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic looms next weekend.
Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSDefender Richard King praised St Mirren's resilience after his last-gasp goal earned a point in a six-goal thriller at Aberdeen.
Marcus Fraser's second-half penalty put Stephen Robinson's side in front at Pittodrie but goals from Dante Polvara and Marko Lazetic had the Dons ahead with 15 minutes to play.
Jonah Ayunga levelled for the Buddies before Lazetic scored what looked like the winner after 85 minutes, only for King to strike deep in stoppage time.
"It was a resilient performance from the boys," the Jamaica international said.
"It wasn't just me. The coaching staff as well, they push us all the time. The boys are hard working, they're never going to stop and we are going to keep pushing ourselves all the time.
"We know we're going to get the reward."
With a visit from Dundee United this weekend before the Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic, King hopes Wednesday's result can be a catalyst for St Mirren.
"It can be," the 23-year-old added.
"We didn't lose, we scored three goals away from home. We just have to take the positives and go again the next day."
We asked for your thoughts after St Mirren scored a 99th-minute equaliser to snatch a draw at Aberdeen in a six-goal epic.
Here are some of your comments:
Eddie: Another shocking VAR decision, that's another for Saints over the past six weeks! We have been robbed of five or six points and are paying for a more inefficient referee system than the old one, and that was bad.
John: Yet another debatable decision to disallow a goal, but the boys never gave up and it's a vital point in the bank.
Michael: Once again another good goal chopped off by VAR. Every goal we score, we celebrate then you have to wait to see if it will stand. Not good, get rid of VAR.
Alan: Think it's now six goals we have been denied for no obvious reason. It's getting so out of hand that watching games now is no longer enjoyable. On the game itself, scoring three away from home is great but we need to defend so much better or we could very easily be in trouble.
