Ross County defender Steven Saunders knows what’s coming if former Staggies attacker Yoann Arquin makes his St Mirren debut in Dingwall on Saturday.
Arquin was released by County manager Jim McIntyre when his contract ended on January 2, but the Martinique international did enough to convince Buddies’ caretaker manager Gary Teale to hand him a contract after training with the Paisley side.
The sides are level on 11 points at the wrong of the Premiership table.
Arquin will be determined to punish his former club, but Saunders reckons his experience of training with the attacker will give him the advantage.
Saunders said: “It happens in football. Players move on and then face their old team.
“Yoann is a good player. I played against him in training every day and I know what he does.
“Defenders know what he’s like. He’s a big, powerful player who is quick and strong and if we give him a chance he will take it.
“St Mirren have been playing with Kenny McLean up front, and he is a good player, but is he a forward? He’s better at creating chances.
“Steven Thompson is struggling with injuries, so they need attacking options.”
Arquin is determined to get his Buddies career off to the perfect start with a victory against his former club on Saturday, and he said: “I am delighted to have signed for St Mirren until the end of the season.
“I spoke with a number of people who I trust in football and they all gave me very positive feedback about the club and the fantastic facilities they have.
“I am looking forward to getting started on Saturday and hopefully help the club start to move up the league table.”
Saunders is thankful for McIntyre’s patience in not rushing him back into the side following an ankle injury.
The former Motherwell defender had been out since August, but has recently returned to start County’s last five matches.
He added: “It’s been a long time coming for me. I’ve not played five games in a row for three or four years. I need games and can’t just play one game in and out.
“I need seven or eight games just to get back to form and feel like I’m part of the team. For me to play the last five games has been very good.
“There’s a difference in playing first-team football to reserve football. I’m really enjoying being back, and I’m feeling good.
“I’ve been trying my hardest to get fit. The manager has been brilliant with me, along with the sports scientist and the physios.
“The staff told me they wanted me to play five reserve games, after training fully for a couple of weeks.
“At the time I just wanted to play. But I can see why they said that now, because I’m playing games and feeling fit.”