Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Csaba has a happy selection problem
THE imminent return of Willo Flood has given Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo a happy headache.
When he’s picking his team, however, it will not be a case of three-into-two-doesn’t-go when it comes to his holding midfielders.
Skipper Flood is back in the squad for Saturday’s clash with Livingston after t hree weeks out with a dislocated shoulder.
He’ll probably only make the bench this weekend but is expected to be ready to start the top-of-thetable clash at St Mirren tomorrow week.
That would appear to give Csaba a selection dilemma because Sam Stanton has moved to the middle of the park to partner Fraser Fyvie and in covering Flood’s absence has earned rave reviews.
The gaffer’s plan, though, is to find a way of accommodating all three in his starting line-up.
“Sam and Fraser in the middle have covered everything very well,” said Csaba.
“Flood is a very important player for us and, if he is fit, I will find for him a place where he can play.
“Sam and Fraser will be on the pitch as well when Willo comes back and, if this a problem for me, it is a good problem to have.
“I would like to have 10 national team players if I could, all fighting to show me who is the best!”
While he’s delighted to have his captain back, Csaba has expressed his sympathy for long-term absentees Lewis Toshney and Jordie Briels.
Both have been out since before he arrived at Tannadice and it will be into the new year now before either are back fighting for a place in the first team.
“They can’t train at the moment with the team. I am suffering with the boys because a football player is a football player and every day they want to play. I see their frustration.”
Meanwhile, Dutch striker Patrick N’Koyi’s short and unsuccessful spell as a tangerine has ended after his one-year contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Although the 27-year-old made 14 appearances after signing up in the summer, his action in the league was limited to coming on as a sub.
His only starts and three goals came in the Challenge Cup clashes with Cowdenbeath and Alloa.
“Patrick had been frustrated at not seeing much action and spoke to me about it,” said Csaba.
“It was in both our interests that he go elsewhere to find more on-field action.”