It is business as usual for Stuart Gray as he endures an anxious wait to hear if he will be confirmed as the new Saints boss.

The respected caretaker manager is expected to be given the job full-time after Thursday's board meeting.

He is on tenterhooks as much as the fans but in the mean time he is pressing ahead with preparations for pre-season training which begins on Monday.

He said: "I have not heard anything so I am just getting on with making sure we are all set up ready for the players to come back in.

"Everything is in place so whatever happens it should all run smoothly. In the meantime the rest is down to the chairman."

The board will debate the issue on Thursday when it looks like being a straight fight between an unnamed "dark horse" and Gray who is said to be in pole position with the emphasis on building long-term.

Chairman Rupert Lowe is playing his cards close to his chest and will not reveal the name of the shock alternative who remains an outsider not least because of the timing.

The club hope to make an announcement either on Friday or early next week.

l Saints striker Scott McDonald will miss Australia's glamour clash against Brazil on Thursday in the World Youth Cup in Argentina.

He was sent off just 20 minutes after coming on as substitute in his side's 1-1 draw against Angola which saw them qualify for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides in the group stages of the Under-20 championships.