United boost as keeper to ramp up his recovery

DUNDEE United boss Micky Mellon has revealed goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist will appear in the club’s midweek friendly against Rangers as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.

The 28-year-old – replaced between the sticks by Deniz Mehmet in recent games with Motherwell and Livingston – faces a race to be fit for United’s Premiership opener at home to St Johnstone on August 1.

But Tangerines boss Mellon expects his No 1 to feature when his men take on Steven Gerrard’s Light Blues on Wednesday.

Paul McMullan, however, is almost certainly out of next month’s Tayside derby.

Speaking after the friendly draw with Livi on Saturday, Mellon said: “Paul’s getting a hernia operation and he’ll be another couple of weeks.

“We believe big Benji will be fine for Wednesday, he can get some game time. Deniz did great for us (on Saturday), playing 90 minutes.

“Relationships are building with the group and myself. I enjoyed seeing the qualities they brought and I’ll enjoy working hard on the other stuff we need to get better at in order to become a force in this league.”

Lawrence Shankland and Calum Butcher returned to the United XI in the 0-0 draw at the weekend after respective thigh and groin injuries.

It was a bruising first-half at Tannadice, with three players requiring treatment following head knocks, including Mark Connolly who missed eight minutes of action.

But Mellon told ArabZONE: “He’s OK, we’re OK. We don’t have any new injuries.

“Players that needed match minutes got 45 and we’ll step it up for Wednesday. Everything’s about getting them ready for that first game of the season.

“I’m pleased with the way we competed and played at times.”

He added: “We knew the threat we were going to face.

“As I say to the players all the time, you’ve got to find the answers to the questions you’re being asked – the long throws, the direct play against a well