United blow as Keatings to miss start of season

Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has been dealt a hammer blow with the news that striker James Keatings is set to miss the start of the Championship campaign after damaging ankle ligaments.

The former Hibs and Hearts front man suffered the injury towards the end of Wednesday night’s Betfred Cup win over Buckie in the Highlands.

The 25-year-old, who scored on his competitive debut for the Tangerines against Raith Rovers last weekend, had to be stretchered off at Victoria Park.

And after further examination yesterday, McKinnon was informed that the player will be out for at least a month.

The manager said: “We have had it confirmed James has done his ankle ligaments so will be out for four to six weeks.”

McKinnon added: “We are gutted for him and for the team because he will be an important player for us this season.

“But it’s just one of those things. Hopefully he’s a quick healer and he will be back at the lower end of the scale. We were actively looking for a striker anyway so nothing has really changed on that score.

“It’s important we get the right person in so James’s injury doesn’t mean we will just go and dive into something now.

“But we would like to get someone in and hopefully we’ll be able to do that.”