Injury blows will not derail United

DUNDEE UNITED: Stanton convinced title bid goes on despite setbacks

Sam Stanton is almost the last man standing in the Dundee United midfield but he is determined that the Tangerines’ injury crisis won’t wreck their promotion challenge.

United have been left reeling after suffering a festive season to forget, losing star duo Scott Fraser (fractured foot) and Fraser Fyvie (cruciate ligaments) to season-ending injuries, while also coming off second best in the Championship’s top-of-the-table clash against St Mirren.

The damage was done to Fyvie’s knee in the home win over Livingston 10 days ago, while Fraser had to hobble off during Friday’s defeat to the Buddies after his old foot problem flared up again.

Both men will require surgery and it will be left to their team-mates, including Stanton, to keep United in the title hunt.

They now sit five points behind league leaders St Mirren – with a game in hand – following that 2-0 setback in Paisley but have the chance to regain some momentum when they face bottom club Brechin at Tannadice this afternoon.

Stanton is adamant that United can keep putting pressure on the Buddies despite the injury blows and insists no one at Tannadice is feeling sorry for themselves.

“It is unfortunate but it is not something we can use as an excuse,” he said.

Brechin boss Darren Dods is looking for his players to do themselves proud for a third time this season against Dundee United.

Dods was delighted with his team the last time they visited Tannadice, albeit they lost a late goal to go down 1-0, while one of City’s three Championship points came in a 1-1 draw against United at Glebe Park on November 25.

The Angus club will make the short journey down the A90 today still looking for their first win in the Championship but, as has been noted by Tangerines gaffer Csaba Laszlo, they have come close on several occasions.

Saturday’s home loss to Inverness Caley Thistle was the latest example of that, with City leading 2-1 before a double from substitute George Oakley took the three points back up to the Highlands.

Indeed, Brechin have lost by the odd goal in no fewer than 10 of their league matches this term.

Dods said: “We have had a lot of single-goal defeats so that shows we have been competitive this season.

“We have been going close to getting that first league win and the great thing is that the players are still positive. “We will just keep working hard. “We have also done well in our two matches against United this season, only losing to a late goal in the first match and then getting a great point at home.

“We defended well at Tannadice, created chances and caused them some problems so more of the same would be nice.

“We will be looking to do ourselves justice again in this game.”

The Tangerines, of course, have been dealt a double injury blow to key midfielders Fraser Fyvie and Scott Fraser.

Dods, a former Tannadice defender, does not believe that will necessarily help his team this afternoon, saying: “They are a couple of big players for United and I wish both well.

“It’s unfortunate for them but we just need to concentrate on ourselves.”

On his way out of Glebe Park yesterday was winger Ally Love, who has joined Clyde on an 18-month contract.

Darren Dods: working hard for first league win of the season.