Injury blow for St Johnstone as Ikpaezu sidelined by accident

St Johnstone have been dealt an injury blow before the season starts after Uche Ikpeazu was ruled out until October by a freak injury.

The 29-year-old striker, who joined Saints this summer from Port Vale, suffered an accident at home which has left him requiring knee surgery.

And boss Craig Levein has revealed the striker - who played under him at Hearts - will likely now be sidelined for the next four months.

"He twisted his knee, which is sods law," he told St Johnstone's website.

"He damaged his cartilage a little bit and he's had to get an op. These things usually take three to four months, which is a real blow for us, but he's three or four weeks into that now, so we'll see him September or October.

"He's frustrated, but it's an accident, it's one of those things."