Langer signed a three-year contract with Freiburg in 2008

St Johnstone have handed striker Andy Jackson a short-term contract extension to prove his fitness and given a trial to Austrian goalkeeper Michael Langer.

The 25-year-old Langer began his career with Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart before signing a three-year deal with Freiburg in January 2008.

Jackson has had an illness and injury plagued two years with Saints.

Manager Derek McInnes said: "We have given Jacko a contract through to the end of the year."

Jackson made his first-team breakthrough in 2007 but has suffered a bowel-related illness plus medial ligament and achilles injuries, both of which required surgery.

I have seen signs in the last two or three weeks of the Andy Jackson we remember and were waiting for St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes

The 22-year-old was sent out on loan to Second Division side Arbroath in January, has made two appearances for Saints since his return and now has been given a chance to prove he has made a full recovery.

"It is up to him to take advantage of the opportunity," McInnes told his club website.

"I have seen signs in the last two or three weeks of the Andy Jackson we remember and were waiting for.

"He has a real hard time of it, but it has taken far longer than we ever imagined to get him to this stage.

"He now has to keep progressing and showing the right approach.

"We know what he is capable of, but we have stepped up a level since he was scoring goals regularly here.

"Injury aside, he has to be in tip-top physical condition to give himself a real chance."

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