JON ROBERTSON hopes he can reinvent himself at St Mirren as a roving right-back.

The ex-Cowdenbeath man has struggled since moving to the Paisley club last summer, a number of injuries meaning he played only 18 times in his debut season.

Although signed as a box-to-box midfielder, the 24-year-old can also operate on the right of defence.

With David van Zanten suspended and David Barron injured for this weekend's home league match against Kilmarnock, Robertson is hoping he can slot in and do a job.

He said: "I've been hampered by niggly injuries since pre-season but fingers crossed I can get my chance this weekend.

"The gaffer's made noises that right-back might be a position that I could play a lot this season, depending on whether I make the most of my opportunities or not.

"I felt good playing there against Gretna last week. I had a hand in the first two goals that we scored and that helped settled me down and gave me a real confidence boost.

"I got a few decent crosses into the box in the second half as well so I felt comfortable playing there.

"It wasn't the Gretna of old, of course, but it was still a good exercise and my first 90 minutes of the season. So that was a plus for me too.

"I felt good coming away from that one so we'll see what happens against Kilmarnock this weekend."

Robertson played at full-back various times under Danny Lennon at Cowdenbeath so both player and manager know he can do a job if called upon.

He added: "I've not played at full-back in a competitive game since moving to St Mirren but I did it at Cowdenbeath.

"It's a position I enjoy playing. It allows me to open my legs and get up and down the park, so maybe it's a position I can mould myself into.

"I think it may suit me. I've not played it at this level yet but I'm a football player and it's part of the job to be able to adapt.

"If there's a weaker side to my game at right-back it's the defensive duties as I love getting forward.

"It's not a weakness as such but there are a few aspects of being a defender that I probably need to brush up on.

"If I end up playing against the likes of Gary Mackay-Steven or James Forrest, that will bring new challenges that I've not faced before so I need to be ready if the manager decides to give me a go."

Robertson hopes to make an impression with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

He added: "I fell away towards the end of last season but in the first half I enjoyed a good run.

"For one reason or another after that I fell out of favour.

"But now I'm looking to get back in the team and make a sustained contribution."