The experienced forward was in terrific form before picking up a calf issue against Ross County
Nicky Clark has already taken a “good step forward” in his latest recovery from injury.
The experienced forward is beginning to up his workload on the grass after being forced off in a recent win against Ross County at McDiarmid Park with a calf issue.
Manager Craig Levein initially feared the worst but on Tuesday provided a positive update.
“Nicky was out on the grass today, which is a good step forward,” he explained.
“He’s not sprinting yet but it’s a real positive. There’s no timescale on his return yet.
“But the progress so far is encouraging.”
Saints were missing a clinical spark in the forward department in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Hearts at Tynecastle.
“Andy [Considine], Gowser [Ryan McGowan] and big Liam [Gordon] have been very steady for us over the last few games – the Kilmarnock one under Alex and then the last three with me,” Levein added.
“We haven’t lost that many goals and have generally been pretty solid. That’s given us a platform.
“Midfield is the same. It’s been very strong. Dan and Matty have been excellent, Max did really well at the weekend and Graham and Sven have done well too.
“Those two areas have given us a solid look. There’s not an awful lot wrong.
“I’d like to have created more chances but that was always going to be tough at Tynecastle.
“There’s an element of being without Nicky Clark, that’s for sure.
“If he’s fit, he’s the one with the recognised track record in the Premiership of being a regular goalscorer. The sooner we’ve got him back, the better.”
Andy Considine was forced off injured in the capital test and Levein admits it remains a case of “wait and see” as to the length of absence.
Levein said: “We’re still not sure how long he’ll be out for.
“It wasn’t one of those where he was writhing about on the ground in agony and it’s ballooned up straight away.
“The fact that he was able to play for a while longer suggests it isn’t something really serious.
“But it’s still a case of wait and see. I don’t think there will be a chance for him on Sunday. You never know but I doubt it.”
Like Clark, centre-half Sam McClelland was another who was out on the grass for the first time on Tuesday as the Northern Ireland U21 international works towards a comeback.
Cammy MacPherson, meanwhile, will be out for a few weeks.
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