Mawene feeling positive

Aberdeen defender Youl Mawene feels there is plenty to look forward to after returning to an improved side in the last week.

The 32-year-old came back into the side after a six-week injury lay-off during which the Dons did not lose.

Aberdeen are on the verge of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League top six ahead of the visit of St Johnstone on Sunday and Mawene helped them secure a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final against Motherwell with victory over Queen of the South on Tuesday.

Mawene said: "A lot of things have changed over the last few weeks. We have picked up a few more points and only lost one in 13.

"We know performances haven't really been there but I think we are in a good position to really push on.

"We have the target of top six and maybe more and we have the cup run as well. There is a lot to look forward to."

Mawene is taking nothing for granted against a Saints side who lost 5-1 to Dundee United last weekend before bowing out of the cup against Hearts.

"It is always tricky with us because we never know which team is going to turn up," he said.

"The key is to focus on our own performance. Our performances haven't been that good but the points have been there and we haven't been defeated for a while but I think there is definitely room for improvement.

"A lot of new players have come in and there is more competition for places and we are looking to finish the season well.

"The team spirit is really excellent and there is a good bunch of lads trying to work hard for the team."

Ryan Jack returns to the Aberdeen squad after missing the cup win over Queen of the South for disciplinary reasons.

Midfielders Gavin Rae and Peter Pawlett could come straight back in following hamstring injuries.

Defender Russell Anderson, midfielders Rob Milsom, Isaac Osbourne, Yoann Folly, and Clark Robertson remain out injured.

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas feels hard done by after a string of luckless performances.

The Saints have impressed this season and lie fifth in the league, although they are without a win in four matches in all competitions.

Three of those games have ended in defeat, which includes a 2-1 midweek Scottish Cup extra-time exit to Hearts.

Lomas believes the defeat epitomises their recent unfortunate streak and remains gutted at the decision to award a last-gasp penalty for a Alan Maybury foul on Suso Santana, which allowed Jamie Hamill to step up to force extra-time.

"We are bitterly disappointed with it," the former Northern Ireland international told Press Association Sport.

"We feel we haven't had, shall I say, the rub of the green from decisions over the last three or four weeks.

"The penalty decision I have seen umpteen times now and it wasn't a penalty.

"We feel very aggrieved that a decision has cost us a game, like we were very aggrieved with the Dave Mackay sending off.

"Like we were very aggrieved with Rangers' first goal when the free-kick wasn't taken in the right place.

"But, I suppose, you can sometimes get a little run where you don't get the rub of the green.

"I couldn't ask anymore in terms of the performance from the lads on Tuesday night."

While Lomas is frustrated with recent decisions, he is upbeat about his side's chances ahead of Sunday's trip to Aberdeen.

"I have been pleased with the level of performance aside from the Dundee United game so I am more than happy with what they are producing," he said.

"We just hope we get that little rub of the green.

"Steven Anderson has a slight knee problem so might be touch and go for Sunday.

"Callum Davidson will probably be back in contention so we're pretty much all ok."

Steven Anderson is rated doubtful for St Johnstone.

The defender came off with a knee injury in extra-time of their midweek Scottish Cup fifth round replay defeat to Hearts and could now miss the Pittodrie clash.

While Steve Lomas may have to do without Anderson the St Johnstone boss is likely to be able to welcome back Callum Davidson (hamstring).