DAVID VAN ZANTEN hopes the winter break hasn't ruined St Mirren's mid-season momentum.

The SPL returns to action this weekend after a two-week stoppage, with Danny Lennon's side set to host Ross County as they bid to extend their four-game unbeaten run.

The Buddies beat Motherwell and Dundee United and drew with Inverness Caley Thistle and Kilmarnock before the top-flight shutdown and van Zanten is keen for them to pick up where they left off against the Staggies.

He said: "It has been nice to have the break but we are back in training now and looking forward to Saturday. We don't usually get the chance during the season to have a break so I have enjoyed it from that point of view.

"The disappointing thing is that we were on a good run of form and we got a couple of results over Christmas so it would have been nice to have had some games to keep that momentum.

"That is the bad point of the break for us as a team but I think the boys have enjoyed it. Every game be-tween now and the end of the season is going to be a big one for us.

"Hopefully we can get another three points on Saturday and we can keep our push going to try and get in the top six."

The SPL clash will see Derek Adams' side make their first trip to Paisley since their nine-goal thriller in September.

The Saints edged a dramatic 5-4 win before battling their way to a 0-0 draw in Dingwall two months later.

County are just four points behind Lennon's side and van Zanten said: "I think Ross County have handled themselves really well so far, they have got a good squad of players. In both of the games we have played them, they have been very difficult opponents.

"We know that it will be a hard game for us and that we will have to be at our best but we are at home and we have to go into the game with confidence, especially after our last few performances."

Meanwhile, Saints have 19-year-old Legia Warsaw striker Patryk Mikita on trial with a view to a loan deal until the end of the season.