Injury concerns after Utd’s perfect display

DUNDEE United’s biggest league win of the season came at a cost.

And it means manager Ray McKinnon will have to shuffle his pack for tomorrow night’s re-arranged Tannadice clash with Dunfermline.

Saturday saw the Tangerines stroll to a 4-1 success over Queen of the South down at Palmerston.

And had they converted even half their chances, the winning margin could have been by several more.

But, if the performance overall left Ray purring, an otherwise good day left him with a couple of major injury concerns.

Full-back Paul Dixon has no chance of facing the Pars after he was stretchered off late in the first half with what appears another serious knee injury.

And keeper Cammy Bell failed to appear for the second half because of a calf problem.

That makes him a big doubt for tomorrow.

Dixon left Dumfries on crutches and although the full extent of his injury is still being assessed, he could be set for another lengthy absence.

The 29-year-old has already missed a month-and-a-half of the campaign after he damaged a knee in the Betfred Cup draw at Inverness in August and required surgery.

Given his form since returning in early September, to lose him for another prolonged period would be a blow.

Right now United are hoping for good news.

“Touch wood it’s not as bad as it looked but he was in a lot of pain when he went down,” said Ray.

“Cammy has hurt his calf. It shouldn’t be too serious and we’ll see how he is.”

Bell picked up the knock i n training last week but had recovered sufficiently to skipper the team in his home town against the Doonhamers.

He felt it again, though, when fielding a ball i n the opening minutes but managed to limp on until half-time when he was replaced by Luis Zwick.

Centre-half and scorer for the second week in a row, Mark Durnan, came off late on after feeling his hamstring but he looks set to be OK for tomorrow.

As for the result, the manager had no complaints.

“I thought we were excellent and the boys did very well,” added Ray.

“We got on top early and although we were disappointed to lose a goal right on half-time, we responded well i n the second half and controlled the game.

“I was very pleased with them.”

Paul Dixon getting treatment before being stretchered off.