Saints boss Stephen Robinson is challenging his players to make the most of their top-six tilt reprieve by beating his former employers at Fir Park.
Despite losing to Dundee United just before the international break, the Buddies are still firmly in the race for a top-half finish thanks to fellow contenders Hibs, Livingston, Ross County and Motherwell all losing on the same day.
Following a run of just one win in their last six Premiership matches, St Mirren remain just three points behind the Terrors who sit in fourth.
Robinson is hoping the international break will have given his players a chance to recharge ahead of two hugely significant pre-split fixtures against the Steelmen and title-chasing Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Robinson said: “The break probably came at a good time in terms of getting to reset.
“Quite a few of the players have been away, but it’s been great to get more time working with the ones we’ve still had here.
“We’ve also moved back to the training ground which has been great.
“It’s a much better environment there to be closer together and try to boost the team spirit.
“We’ve got two huge games coming up and, even with the disappointment of the Dundee United loss, we’re still only three points off fourth place.
“We got a bit of a reprieve with the results of the teams around us and now we need to take full advantage of that, starting with Motherwell.”
The first of St Mirren’s crucial pre-split double header pits Robinson against his former club Motherwell.
And while he has nothing but respect for the North Lanarkshire side, the 47-year-old insists all sentimentality will go out the window come kick-off as he looks to lead the Buddies to what could be a pivotal three points.
Robinson said: “You couldn’t write the script really, but football has a way of throwing up these kind of reunions in big moments.
“At the end of the day I have nothing but total respect for Motherwell and for Alan Burrows. I had some very special times with Motherwell.
“But come Saturday that will all be put to the side for 90 minutes because we are going there fully focused on getting three points for St Mirren.
“I’ve got to put that emotion to one side and concentrate on how we’re going to beat them.
“They’re a big, strong, physical side and we’ll have to make sure we don’t get bullied on and off the ball.
“It’s a tough ask but there’s a lot of difficult games for the other teams around us in the table as well.
“All we can do is focus on ourselves and a win on Saturday will put us in a great position heading into our last game before the split against Rangers.”
