Oran Kearney is prepared to play a waiting game on Adam Hammill's St Mirren future.
St Mirren manager Kearney knows Hammill faces a big decision over whether to extend his stay in Paisley, with his short-term contract due to expire next month.
Kearney has held talks with Hammill but with the 30-year-old's family still living down south he admits the attacker is right to weigh up all options and he will give him time to make his decision.
Former Barnsley winger Hammill has made a major impact since joining in October and scored spectacular long-range strikes against Hibernian, from inside his own half, and Hearts.
Kearney said: "Adam's on a short-term deal until January. From a football point of view he's really happy but it's well documented he's got a young family and they are still living down in the Midlands.
"So with that there is more to it than just football at this point in time in relation to making the correct decision for Adam.
"Adam is a big part of that and we're had loads of conversations and loads of chats but there are things we need to get clarity on, for both parties. That is the only fair way to treat Adam.
"I think this weekend his family are up and you can see that he misses his children.
"We've had chats in relation to going forward but we have to take into account him and when he's happy he's playing well.
"There's no rush? Not really, we've a good relationship, there is good trust there and I know he's happy at this moment in moment."
Second-bottom St Mirren travel to Livingston on Saturday and Kearney hopes they can build on their recent upturn in form that seen them unbeaten in three of their last four outings.
He said: "It's important we get the same performance level we had on Wednesday night and had snippets of against Hamilton and got lots of against Hearts. So it's important we get that level again.
"Since I've been here we're in our best form, probably our best form all season, so it's nice we've hit a bit if stability.
"I still wouldn't say we're there yet but we have made improvements, we're getting a bit fitter and sharper but we still have a lot of work to do.
"When I came in we were miles off the ability to get a results but I do feel we've closed gaps and we've become more competitive."
Danny Mullen and Kyle Magennis face time out after going off injured during the draw with Hibs.
Kearney added: "Danny's hurt his ankle and looks as though he's going to be out for a few weeks.
"Kyle's had a scan on his hamstring and we await the outcome on that but he's definitely out for Saturday."
