Utd doubts make for late selection

A STRING of minor knocks means Ray McKinnon’s team selection for tonight’s Premiership Play-Off semi-final at Falkirk will be last minute.

But whoever the manager sends out at the Falkirk Stadium, he’s confident they can get the Tangerines to next week’s promotion showdown against top-flight opposition.

“A couple are carrying knocks, we’ll give them right up until just before the game to let them recover,” said Ray.

“The team’s been picking itself so far in the play-offs but, because of these knocks, it will be late on before I name it.”

With so much at stake, he was not willing to reveal the identity of those doubtful but it’s a safe bet full-back Jamie Robson and midfielder Willo Flood are among them.

Robson has had a rib injury, while Flood has played the last couple of games nursing a thigh problem and it’s understood one or two others are in the same boat.

The manager did confirm Stewart Murdoch will miss out after limping out of Tuesday’s 2-2 first leg draw with a torn groin muscle.

Despite those selection problems, he has been in upbeat mood and promised United will have a go.

“We’re not under-estimating Falkirk, it’s going to be a tough game.

“They have done very well in the past couple of seasons, knocking Hibs out last year to reach the play-off final

“It will be hard but the boys are up for it, I can tell. We have to manage the game, be competitive and play our own game — that’s important.

“We won’t sit off the game, I can assure you that.

“We will play our normal game. We are much better as an attacking force than we are sitting in.”

United will be well-backed tonight, with the club announcing the away allocation of just under 2,000 tickets has sold out.

That level of backing from Arabs has delighted Ray.

“The fans have been brilliant all season and they got right behind us in the first leg, as well as the two games against Morton last week,” he added.

“I’m not surprised we’ve sold out because they have travelled in big numbers all season.

“We really appreciate the way they support the team.

“We want to make sure the supporters have another couple of games to look forward to next week as well.”

Dundee United midfielder Willo Flood has been nursing a thigh problem and is touch and go for a place in tonight’s play-off semi at Falkirk.