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General Sport - 09 November 2005
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Determined Dark Blues
Dundee manager Alan Kernaghan is backing his side to stand up and be counted when St Johnstone visit Dens on Saturday (writes Graeme Finnan).
Kernaghan watched on in horror as his men were humbled by Airdrie 12 days ago, but can sense a determination among his squad to atone against Saints

“From what I’ve seen in training they are desperate to give it a go,” said Alan. “They took a fair bit of flak after the Airdrie game, and rightly so.

“But they are determined to show what they are made of in front of their own fans and the fact it is a derby obviously adds to the atmoshphere.”

The Dark Blues will be without injured defender Adrian Madaschi on Saturday, while former Saint Stuart McCluskey is also struggling to make it.

However, midfielder Iain Anderson is back in training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, although his chances of making an appearance at the weekend seem slim.

“It’s good to see Iain back, but he hasn’t played for something like the last six weeks so it may be asking too much to pitch him in,” added Alan.

The Dens men are likely to hold a full scale practice match among themselves, which would offer trialist Mehdi Guerrouad a chance to show what he can do in a game situation.

The Algerian midfielder has impressed so far during his short stay at the club.

With no game at the weekend, DUNDEE UNITED’S first-team sqaud have been given a couple of days off.

A youthful United reserve side lost 4-0 to Falkirk at Station Park yesterday.

Fingers crossed
St Johnstone players were given today off and player/boss Owen Coyle is keeping his fingers crossed that when they return tomorrow, more will be in a better state of health (writes James Masson).
The Perth side have a number of players suffering from injury and flu.

Meanwhile, two players definitely not facing Dundee at Dens on Saturday are the suspended Simon Mensing and Jason Scotland, who is on World Cup duty with Trinidad & Tobago.

Scotland, along with the rest of his country’s British-based players has flown out to Trinidad. In fact, they were on the same flight as the Bahrain squad, their opponents in the World Cup play-off.

The offer to Saints season ticket holders of hospitality at two fixtures during this month has proved as popular as ever.

Places for the match against Clyde a week on Saturday are now all taken, but spaces remain at the match against Stranraer on November 26.

The cost per person is £35 and to book call Paul Smith on 01738 459093 or email paul@stjohnstonefc.co.uk

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