Tangerines’ back-up goalies in the wars

DUNDEE United have wrapped goalie Cammy Bell in cotton wool after both his back-ups were declared major doubts for tonight’s Premiership play-off quarter-final at Morton.

Regular deputy Luis Zwick had to call off i n the warm-up before Saturday’s league draw at Cappielow when a knee problem he first felt in training last week flared up.

His seat on the bench was taken by Brett Long, but the 19-year-old Northern Ireland youth international has now taken ill and has all but been ruled out of being stripped again this evening.

Zwick looks set to resume those duties, although he did not complete a full training session yesterday, meaning extra care has been taken to ensure nothing goes amiss with regular No 1 Bell.

“It’s one of those things, Luis felt his knee on Saturday and now Brett is ill and really hasn’t been feeling well since Sunday,” confirmed gaffer Ray McKinnon.

So long as Bell comes through this evening’s first leg, the situation should have eased by the time the tie is decided at Tannadice on Friday night.

By then Zwick is likely to have fully recovered from his injury worries.

And at least Ray’s options in the outfield have increased.

Both key centre-half William Edjenguele and striker Simon Murray were included in the party that headed west today.

They were suspended on Saturday and the manager believes, particularly in Frenchman Edjenguele’s case, that may have proved a blessing.

“William has played a lot of games since joining us, so his two-games out through the ban gave us a chance to let him rest up and he’s looking refreshed now,” he explained.

“Having the big man and Simon back does increase our options and right now there is really only Lewis Toshney who definitely has no chance of featuring in the play-offs.

“We even had Scott Fraser back training with the squad for the first time yesterday and there has to be a good chance he can get part of one of the games coming up.

“That’s got to be a good thing because this is a time when you want your players available and having these guys coming back is pleasing.”

Fans travelling tonight can pay at the gate, but will need tickets for Friday’s return.

Cammy Bell’s deputee Luis Zwick (right) is struggling with a knee problem while third choice between the sticks Brett Long has taken ill.