The captain of Scottish Premiership strugglers St Mirren has apologised for a bizarre training ground incident that took place when he threw a spiked pole at a team-mate.

Steven Thompson said he was "mortified" after a training ground "prank" went horribly wrong after the pole pierced the thigh of team-mate John McGinn, meaning the 20-year-old missed Saturday's 4-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Now the Scotland Under-21 midfielder is set to be out of action for at least three more weeks.

"I'm mortified by the whole thing," Thompson told Monday's Scottish Sun. "It was a daft prank."

The 36-year-old striker added: "I threw it for a laugh, stupid me trying to be funny, and unfortunately it's anything but. It's a total disaster."

The incident took place last week at St Mirren's Ralston training ground in Paisley, east of Glasgow, after McGinn robbed Thompson of possession during a dribbling routine.

Thompson said the pole went a centimetre into McGinn's leg and had torn muscle, but not done any long-term damage.

"I've been shocked by it, to be honest, really down about it," Thompson added.

"I like a laugh and a joke in training, but for something like this to happen is just unbelievable."

St Mirren, seven points adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table, are away to Partick Thistle this coming Saturday.