The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Toshney injury blow for United
Dundee United have suffered a serious injury blow, with the fear that Lewis Toshney has broken his ankle.
Toshney, who started the season at right back for United but had latterly been in central midfield, hobbled off after 55 minutes of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Hibs at Easter Road.
Manager Ray McKinnon confirmed that it looked like terrible news for the former Raith Rovers and Dundee man.
He also revealed that goalkeeper Cammy Bell has been playing with an injury and will need surgery at some point.
Asked how bad Toshney was, McKinnon replied: “It’s not great.
“He is away for an X-ray because his ankle is up.
“I am devastated for him. He is a great kid.
“He played central midfield for us today and I thought he was outstanding.
“He now has a really bad injury.”
“I’m not sure (if the ankle is broken) but it could be so we are really disappointed for him,” added McKinnon
“We must be cursed in the central midfield area just now. That’s another player out (Willo Flood and Stewart Murdoch the others).
“We also have Cammy Bell going away for an operation so he is playing with an injury.
“So to come here and show that resilience with a patched up side was great.”
McKinnon admitted the draw – earned by William Edjenguele’s header on 68 minutes after James Keatings had scored for the hosts – was hard-earned given Hibs’ dominance at times.
He said: “We came here with a lot of injuries, no recognised midfielders and had to chop and change our system so I was pleased to get a draw.
“We had to be dogged and Hibs are a good side.
“I think the boys responded really well in the second half, while in the first half we wasted a lot of counter-attacks.
“We could have done a lot better but we were great in the second half and merited the draw – definitely.”
Hibs head coach Neil Lennon was frustrated with his side after they went a third game without victory and missed the chance to move above leaders Queen of the South.
Lennon said: “It’s been the story of the last few games. We were in total control and then, all of a sudden, we get really slack under no pressure.
“We had opportunities to go 2-0 up and that would have killed the game as we were so far in the ascendancy.
“But we let teams back in and it’s our own fault. It is also a source of frustration we conceded from a set-play. With the height we have in the team we should be doing a lot better.