CALLUM DAVIDSON insists he is fully focused on tying down his current crop of St Johnstone stars before entering the transfer market for new signings.

Reports this week suggested that Saints had offered Dundee United midfielder Peter Pawlett a pre-contract agreement ahead of next season.

Herald and Times Sport understands that Davidson is keen on the midfielder, but contrary to reports there have been no talks between the player or club.

Former Aberdeen man Pawlett spent time on-loan at McDiarmid Park during the 2012/13 season and is out of contract at Tannadice this summer, meaning he is free to speak to clubs regarding his future.

Asked if he was interested in bringing the 30-year-old to Perth, Davidson responded: “You will always get players linked with clubs at this stage of the season. I think we will be interested in a lot of players. 

“But first of all I have to work really hard to try and sign up the players I have got here. I am interested in lots and doing work behind the scenes to find out who might be available. 

“But players coming in will probably be further down the line.”

Davidson was delighted with the combination of Stevie May and Guy Melamed on Saturday as Saints edged past Tayside rivals Dundee in the Scottish Cup.

Israeli frontman Melamed grabbed his sixth goal in 9 starts since arriving in Scotland this summer and he was teed-up expertly by May in the build-up.

Davidson continued: “As a combination, Stevie and Guy are quite similar to Chris [Kane] and Guy. Their movement is good and they work hard. 

“We looked at how we could get Stevie in behind Dundee on the right. I have good variation up front which I am quite pleased with. 

“Mayso has trained really well over the last two or three weeks and he did a turn for us on Saturday.”

As a result of Saturday’s win at Dens Park, Saints set up a fourth-round tie with League One side Clyde. The winners of that will then play either Rangers or Celtic in the quarter-finals.

“I always like to wait until the Sunday or Monday to find out who you are playing. That adds a bit of excitement to it,” Davidson said. “Obviously they have drawn the two rounds together, which is a little bit different. 

“We will talk about the other tie later. First and foremost, we need to plan how we can beat Clyde. It would be showing a lack of respect if I did talk about the next round.” 

On the injury front Murray Davidson is now running on grass after prolonged period out following a calf knock picked up against Rangers in February.

The midfielder missed out on St Johnstone’s League Cup triumph as a result of the knock, but his manager hopes to welcome him back into the fold before the season is out.

He explained: “Muzz is back on the grass running. Next week I’ll be able to give a more accurate picture of when he is likely to be back but it’s looking all good just now. 

“We want him back fit for the end of the season so he can go and relax in the summer and come back good to go next season. 

“The wee set-back in the week of the cup final has probably been the reason it’s taken him a bit longer.”