Tangerines star is ready to return

Dundee United star Mark Connolly has been through the wars in his career as he has battled back from seven major injuries.

Connolly, 29, has broken his collar bone twice, damaged his medial collateral ligament, and suffered a broken metatarsal.

He has also undergone hip and hernia operations.

Now he’s back on the comeback trail again after a four-month lay-off – after damaging his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in a 2-2 draw with Motherwell in May.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 star made a 12-minute substitute appearance in United’s 0-0 weekend draw with St Mirren as he replaced the injured Ryan Edwards.

That could put him in line for a start in Sunday’s Dundee derby in Edwards’ place

And Connolly believes he is “fitter and stronger” than ever before.

“There have been quite a few injuries in my career and they’ve always been quite bad ones,” said Connolly.

“I’ve broken two collar bones. I’ve had a hip operation, MCL right knee, hernia operations, a broken metatarsal.

“It’s the nature of the job because of the position I play in. It’s something I have to get on with.

“Thankfully, I deal with it well.

“Mentally, as years go on I’ve got stronger and stronger.”

Connolly has praised the role played by Dundee United’s sports science department in helping him recover a month ahead of schedule.

That has put him in line for a derby day appearance, should Edwards fail to recover in time.

He said: “I’ve come back a better player and better person.

“I’m back a bit earlier but the whole sports science team at Dundee United have been outstanding with me.

“I feel really fit. I’m stronger than I was before and they deserve a lot of credit for that.

“If I’m needed for the derby I’ll be ready. If it’s the bench, I’ll do what’s required.”

The first top-flight Dundee derby in over five years will be played in front of a sell-out crowd.

Dundee United and

Dundee have sold out their allocations for Sunday’s lunchtime clash.

The mouth-watering match will be beamed live on Sky Sports but fans of both sides have snapped up tickets for Tannadice.

With some Covidrestrictions still in place, there will be over 13,000 inside United’s ground.

United had come under-fire from some supporters on social media for charging up to £30 for adults for the game.

But the news that the tickets have sold out more than 48 hours before kick-off will provide a welcome boost to the players who played in front of empty grounds last year.

Meanwhile, United defender Edwards has been pictured in training at his side’s St Andrews’ base.

Edwards picked up a knock in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with St Mirren, with comeback star Mark Connolly ready to step into his place.

It remains to be seen if Edwards will be fit to face Dundee. Liam Smith and Benjamin Siegrist also face a fitness race for Sunday.

RESILIENT: Mark Connolly has become used to fighting back from injury in his career.