Keatings return delights Csaba

DUNDEE United manager Csaba Laszlo has expressed his delight at being able t o welcome James Keatings back into the fold.

The 25-year-old striker has been struggling with a hip problem and has been limited to substitute appearances i n recent weeks.

His l ast start came i n United’s 2-0 home defeat to Inverness on October 21 but he could soon return to boss Csaba’s starting XI.

Keatings resumed full training on Wednesday and is i n contention to face Queen of t he South i n Dumfries on Saturday.

“It is good to have him back,” Csaba said.

“We can use him on the right and the middle, also.

“He i s a really good football player, I want him back playing soon but we can’t take risks.”

Csaba also gave an update on forgotten men Jordie Briels and Lewis Toshney, saying: “Briels is fit, on the long-term injury list we have Lewis Toshney (knee) and Willo Flood (shoulder) but everybody else is OK.”

Flood’s absence has been felt hardest by the Terrors but Csaba has been pleased with how his squad has coped.

Sam Stanton and Fraser Fyvie were singled-out for special praise for their performances i n the 2-0 victory over Morton last Saturday.

Csaba added: “I want competition, I want the players to understand competition is important in sport and even within the team it helps you to develop.

“G e n e r a l l y, I think everybody has been doing a good job.

“I hope Sam (Stanton) can play the same game he played against Morton.

“If he plays centre midfield, he and Fraser Fyvie can fill the pitch.”

James Keatings has been back in training this week.