St Mirren boss Alan Stubbs is closing in on a season-long loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Matty Willock.

The 21-year-old midfielder was on loan at St Johnstone in the second half of last season, scoring one goal in 12 appearances.

Ahead of tomorrow's Betfred Cup tie against Dumbarton at the Simple Digital Arena, Stubbs said: "There is a possibility. We are probably a couple of hours away from confirming that.

"We are not in a position to say that it is done but we are very, very hopeful that Matty will be here very soon and we can get the paperwork done.

"So on that one, yes, we are close but not in a position to confirm it.

"He certainly brings a physicality to the midfield. Most importantly he brings competition for places.

"He is a big lad - six foot one or two, powerful, aggressive, he will get around the pitch. He is a threat in terms of scoring, which is what I want to add to the midfield area, and he certainly gives us a lot of options in there."

The Paisley side, newly promoted to the Ladbrokes Premiership, have carved out three draws before three penalty shoot-out wins in Group H - the most recent against League Two amateurs Queen's Park at Hampden Park on Tuesday night following a goalless 90 minutes.

Saints are one point behind Kilmarnock, who host Queen's Park, with only the group winners and four best runners-up going through to the knockout stages.

Stubbs, who will go with the same squad from Tuesday night, said: "We don't know mathematically who is going to be top. There is a lot of ifs and maybes at the moment.

"If Kilmarnock don't win, we could finish the group on top. There are lots of permutations but the only thing I am interested in right now is winning the game. It is as simple as that.

"Then after the game, if we do our bit, we can see where we have finished and whether we have progressed."