Boost for Tangerines as Flood returns to squad

Laszlo delighted by midfielder’s ‘fantastic’ recovery

Dundee United captain Willo Flood has made a “fantastic” recovery from injury and will be in the squad for their game against Livingston.

Tangerines boss Csaba Laszlo wore a smile as long as the beach at St Andrews yesterday as he confirmed the Irishman’s comeback from a dislocated shoulder is weeks ahead of schedule. Indeed, Flood is expected to be on the bench at the very least when Livi come to Tannadice on Saturday.

The initial timescale had the player sidelined until next month so Laszlo is, understandably, delighted.

The manager said: “I hope to have Willo at least sitting on the bench against Livingston. That is really good news and it is fantastic to see this recovery.

“The great thing was that it was a not a rupture of the shoulder.

“It was a bad injury but not so special that it could not be pushed back in.”

“After only the second day of the injury, Willo was already working on his own on the bicycle,” Laszlo revealed.

“He has had the shoulder taped up and has been playing with the ball, although not directly with the other players.

“We now need to see whether or not he needs to keep the shoulder taped up for a game.

“It is a decision to be made with the head about how he proceeds now,” added the United gaffer.

“I have spoken to the doctors and they tell me that, theoretically, he is ready for Saturday.

“Mentally, though, you have to balance things out. He may need to have more contact play during training so that there is no fear about the injury.

“That is so he can say ‘I have nothing wrong’ to himself.”

While Flood has been out, Laszlo has been happy with the pairing of Sam Stanton and Fraser Fyvie in the deeper midfield roles.

So much so that he will have a difficult decision to make over who plays where, although Flood looks certain to slot right back in to his usual place.

Laszlo added: “We have had Sam and Fraser in the deeper middle positions and they have been very good.

“Of course, Willo is a very important player for us and if he is fit he will play. I will find a place for him.”

James Keatings, meanwhile, has stepped up his fitness training but Stewart Murdoch is unlikely to be available until the St Mirren game at the earliest.

Laszlo, who was at the Tony Macaroni Arena last night to watch Livi play Falkirk, is still working away at freshening up his squad for the opening of the transfer window at New Year.

“We have a plan A and a plan B,” he said.

“We have to look and see which one will work best for us.

“Generally, the January transfer window is not an easy time to find players.

“I want players who will help us improve, so that means quality not just quantity.

“We do need a striker, something different to Scott McDonald.

“Scott is a really good player but maybe if you also have in this position someone who is taller and strong in the air then you have more tactical possibilities.

“That would also give Scott help on the pitch because you could play a second striker.

“So if I could have just one wish then it would be to fill this position.”

Willo Flood: back in contention.