Defender set to answer Coll in ‘chance to impress’ boss

MISFORTUNE for some is opportunity for others at Tannadice tomorrow as defensive absentees will give Coll Donaldson the “chance to impress” boss Ray McKinnon.

Donaldson hasn’t started for the Tangerines since the beginning of November but is in prime position to take advantage of a suspension to William Edjenguele and injuries to Lewis Toshney and Frank van der Struijk.

Centre-back Edjenguele is banned for the next two games while utility men Toshney and Van der Struijk have been ruled out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder and calf problem respectively.

The United manager said: “Toshney has dislocated his shoulder, it looks like he’ll be out for the season. The timing’s terrible.

“Frank van der Struijk looks like he’s out for the rest of the campaign. He’s had a recurrence of his calf injury. We will be quite light going into the final part of the season.

“Defensively, there’s a few injuries but, hopefully, Sean Dillon will return for the play-offs — he’s back running and that’ll be a boost.

“For tomorrow, it’ll be Coll or whoever to come in and take William’s place and it’s an opportunity for him.

“Every time you get a chance to play, it’s an opportunity.

“Whoever comes in and fills those boots has a chance to impress and stake a claim.

“The person who takes the place of William tomorrow has that chance.”

Tomorrow’s game is United’s final home match of the regular season and Ray is keen to see his side keep up their impressive record at Tannadice.

He said: “We’ve got the best record at home in the division and, if we can win tomorrow, it’ll remain that way.

“If we can go throughout the season with just one defeat at home when we were down to 10 men against Hibs, that’s no mean feat.

“More importantly, though, it’s about getting the three points.

“The fans have been great and the players have responded to that. They play with a real confidence at home, so it’ll be an advantage in the play-offs but first and foremost it’s about tomorrow against Dumbarton.”

Meanwhile, tickets are still available for Sean Dillon’s testimonial dinner on Sunday week.

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