JOHN McGINN has vowed St Mirren will go for the jugular when they head north to face Ross County on Saturday.

The Paisley side travel to the Highlands desperate to start putting some serious daylight between themselves and Derek Adams' men and Partick Thistle, who are both two points adrift of Saints.

But teenage midfielder McGinn says it is vital Saints rediscover the free-flowing football that was the hallmark of their play under Danny Lennon earlier in the season, as they look to pull away from the threat of the dreaded SPFL Premiership play-off battle.

McGinn, who was outstanding for the Buddies against Aberdeen last time out, said: "For me this is about us going to County and trying to get the win. We have to get back to doing what we do best. That is playing the passing game and dominating possession.

"We have not been doing that in recent weeks and that means we have not been playing to our strengths but that has to change. Obviously when you go away from home you look to keep a clean sheet but we need to be looking for more than that.

"We must start picking up three points instead of one, as that is the only way we can guarantee our status in the Premiership."

Marc McAusland is available again after suspension and Lennon has the option of restoring skipper Jim Goodwin to his favoured sitting role once more.

With Eric Djemba-Djemba newly arrived, Kenny McLean fully fit and McGinn himself a stick-on to start in Dingwall, competition for a berth in the Buddies' midfield has never been so fierce.

The 19-year-old said: "We have a lot of quality in the midfield and everyone is fighting for his place, which is very good for the side.

"But we are not producing as much as we should - in terms of the level of goals coming from central areas and also dominating possession and getting the fluidity back to our passing game.

"That is something we have to get sorted."

McGinn said Cameroon star Djemba-Djemba has put his penalty misery against the Dons behind him and is an increasingly popular presence in the dressing room.

He added: "Eric is a very experienced pro and he has moved on from the penalty thing against Aberdeen. He is a big character and he has really got the whole dressing room going again. He is also a quality player.

"We believe we have more than enough in terms of quality and experience to climb up the table. A win at Ross County would give that process a real kick-start."