UNITED HIT BY SHANKSBLOW
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND is OUT of Dundee United’s trip to Morton.
Scans have shown that the Scotland striker suffered a thigh injury while on international duty earlier this month.
The 19-goal hitman has started light training with United but boss Robbie Neilson claims this week’s trip to Cappielow has come too soon for him.
He does, however, expect Shankland to return for the Championship leader’s home clash with Alloa a week on Saturday.
Tannadice chief Neilson said: “He’ll obviously not make this weekend but he was running yesterday at a decent pace and I expect him to be back next weekend.
“It was just at the top of the muscle, it wasn’t an actual tear in the muscle, so he’s fine.
“It’s not an issue for us, and that’s not me trying to paint over it or anything.
“The worry is it’s a thigh injury and, say, I pushed him for Saturday and he popped it we could lose him for six, even eight weeks.
“But at this moment in time he should be fine. It’s more of a precaution than anything else.
“He’s one of our main players, so we have to be wary not to rush him back.
“He’ll definitely be ready for the following weekend and then it’s just a decision over whether we start him or keep him on the bench.”
Neilson actually believes the enforced break could benefit both Shankland and United.
He added: “To be fair the kid could probably do with a break anyway, he has done brilliantly for us.
“He’s played just about every minute of every game. He has had a lot to deal with.”
Neilson’s side beat Queen of the South 3-0 while Shanks was with Scotland and the boss is confident they can win again without him.
He said: “People were saying we were missing Lawrence and that we’d be in trouble, but we still have real quality in the team and should have enough for Saturday too.
“We’re going to lose players throughout the season so it’s important we don’t pin our hopes on one individual.
“We missed him last week and still managed to score three goals and put in a great performance.
“Peter Pawlett will be back, so we’re taking Lawrence out and adding Peter, who has great quality so it will be like for like.”