Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Murdoch’s hopes appearing to fade
STEWART Murdoch’s chances of featuring against Hibs on Friday night at Tannadice appear to be diminishing.
The Dundee United midfield man hasn’t started a game since damaging knee ligaments in the Betfred Cup quarter-final loss to Morton at Cappielow at the end of September.
He appeared briefly at the end of the recent Irn-Bru Cup win at Dunfermline and, in recent, weeks, has been working his way back to full fitness.
Boss Ray McKinnon has been delighted with Murdoch’s progress and had hoped to give the former Ross County man some game time in yesterday’s Development League game against Dunfermline.
However, Murdoch’s name failed to appear on the team sheet and, while he continues to work towards a return, it now seems unlikely he will be involved against Neil Lennon’s men at the end of the week.
McKinnon said: “He never played in the Development game but he is close to full fitness.”
One man who could feature in the squad for the clash between the Championship pacesetters is Ali Coote.
The youngster has been used in the first team recently and was given 90 minutes yesterday as a young United side went down 1-0 to the Pars.
Meanwhile, Tannadice is set to top the 10,000 mark for attendance at Friday night’s game.
Despite the top-of-the-table clash being broadcast live on TV, tickets have been snapped up fast.
United revealed less than 100 tickets remain for the Eddie Thompson stand and just over 1,000 are still available for seats in the George Fox Stand.