Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundee pair face ’Well fitness race
INJURED pair Josh Meekings and Roarie Deacon face fitness checks before Dundee boss Neil McCann finalises his squad for Saturday’s trip to Motherwell.
It was kept a closely-guarded secret but both were ruled out of the weekend win over St Johnstone because of problems suffered in training last week.
And it’s still not clear what their chances of being ready to face the Steelmen at Fir Park are.
Even if they make the squad, the positive nature of Saturday’s performance means there has to be a chance both would have to be content with a place on the bench.
The manager, meanwhile, has praised young star Craig Wighton for the way he handled the 90 minutes against Saints.
It was the 20-year-old’s first topteam start since the end of April last year and since he damaged knee ligaments in a pre-season friendly last summer.
“For that boy to be out for that amount of time, to come in, deserve his place and give us 90 minutes in this type of game with the pressures that come with it, I am so happy for him,” he said.
Ahead of the weekend’s clash at Motherwell the Dark Blues find themselves five points ahead of Partick in the relegation play-off place and six above bottom-side Ross County.
The Dens gaffer, though, isn’t worrying too much about how the league table looks — all he wants are results to get his side free and clear so he can start preparing for next season in the Premiership.
Neil said: “It is in our hands and all we need to do is win every game of football and we don’t need to worry about anything.
“I don’t care what happens around us.
“We win, we climb the table and we’ll get ourselves away from trouble.”
Meanwhile, the club have hailed an “incredible” response from Dens Park season-ticket holders.
Since becoming available almost two weeks ago, more than 700 books have already been purchased and a statement on the club website said: “The club would like to thank supporters who have already committed to next season with this incredible total.”
The Super Early Bird price of £340 for existing ticket holders has since been extended until close of business on May 1.