Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
O’DEA FIGHTING FIT FOR KILLIE CRUNCH
EXPERIENCED defender Darren O’Dea and recent recruit Ethan Robson have made the Dundee squad for tonight’s home clash with Kilmarnock.
Centre-back O’Dea was ill at the weekend and missed the draw at relegation rivals Hamilton Accies.
Midfielder Robson, signed on loan from Sunderland last week, made his debut at New Douglas Park but had to come off with a groin injury.
Dens boss Jim McIntyre has listed both for duty tonight and expects to be able to call on them.
“Darren was ill at the weekend but he’s fine now, so he’ll be available,” said Jim.
“Ethan felt his groin a bit but it’s not too bad and he has a chance as well.”
Jim knows gaining a vital victory against high-flying Killie will be no easy task but his is looking to build on the encouragement of three improved league performances since the winter break.
“Kilmarnock are a strong team, with good flair in the wider areas and full-backs who bomb on,” he said.
“They have a lot of seven-out-of-10 players in their team and that’s why they’ve been so consistent.
“They counter very quickly and they do it very well.
“And they’re used to winning. That comes from having a lot of players who know their jobs.”
After a win, a draw and a narrow defeat in those last three top-flight outings, Jim believes his new-look squad are heading in the right direction.
“Obviously, it is going to take time for the team to gel and that’s something we don’t have a lot of,” he added.
“But I saw signs on Saturday and I’ve seen more in training that the players are coming together well.”