Jack Ross admits he is delighted to have Harry Davis back at St Mirren.
The manager was speaking to stmirren.com yesterday after the defender signed a permanent deal with the club following a successful loan spell last season.
Davis would only make nine appearances in his brief stint with the side, but impressed with his quality in defence along with his goal-scoring threat.
The gaffer confessed that he wasn't sure he was going to be able to bring the 25 year-old back, but is happy that the hard work to get him in has paid off.
We're really pleased," the manager said.
"He's someone I remained in contact with and was always keen to try to get him back to the club.
"I thought it was going to be unlikely that we got him back. However, we've worked really hard at it.
"What was in our favour was how much he enjoyed his time here - not just at the club, but I think he and his family enjoyed living here.
"So I'm really pleased he is on board and looking forward to him getting back to full fitness."
Davis' season ended in March last season when he picked up a knee injury in a 3-2 win over Dundee United at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.
And while he's still not fully fit the manager said it was a move they have carefully considered.
I think there is an element of risk with every signing whether they are fit or injured," he said. "I understand there will be supporters who will question the wisdom of that.
"We balance that up by saying a player of his calibre will be fit in say a month or so and the season is over a ten month period.
"For me it was a weighing up of all the circumstances and saying that is worth it for us. He's edging closer to full fitness. He'll be back soon and once he is back he'll be a big player for us.
"I don't think under normal circumstances we would have had a chance of getting him.
"He has a good pedigree in terms of the number of games he's played in England.
"Even when we managed to get him in January there was interest from Scottish Premiership clubs and we sold it that he would have his chance to put himself in the window for them. I know from the people I speak to in the Premiership that he probably would have had that opportunity had he not picked up the injury.
"There are circumstances that allowed us the opportunity to get him to play in the Championship so you have to balance that up. We've made a balanced decision on it."
