| The wing-back, who has been a regular on the bench this term, has broken a metatarsal bone in his foot — the injury that threatened to rule the England captain out of the last World Cup — and now faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.
It’s an unwanted early birthday present for the teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow and will spend his birthday with his foot up and heavily strapped.
“It’s bad luck for Barry, and it was something of a freak accident. There was no one near him. He’s just struck the ball and then seemed to land awkwardly,” said boss Gordon Chisholm today.
“I’m not saying he was set to play for the first team right away, but he had been making good progress and was getting a place in the squad most weeks, so it is a setback for him.
“It is also a blow for the reserves, because we do not have a big squad for their games and he was one of the regulars in the team.”
On the subject of the second string, tonight’s trip to Kilmarnock has been called off because of freezing temperatures across the country. A pitch inspection was arranged this morning and the surface was quickly given the thumbs down.
In the first team, midfielder Grant Brebner was working with the physio today. The player himself believes the calf strain that has ruled him out of the last two games could clear in time for him to face former club Hibs at Tannadice on Saturday, but his manager is not so sure.
“He is feeling a lot better, but I would not rate his chances at any more than 50/50. He has not played or trained since the Hearts game early in the month and, as well as showing he has recovered from the injury, he has to prove his fitness over the next few days.”
United held talks with a view to handing a trial to Finnish defender Tuomo Konenen, who starred against them for MyPa in the UEFA Cup back in August.
However, with the Tangerines needing to see more of him than just the two games back then, Gordon was only prepared to offer him a trial initially and the left-back has opted to stay closer to home and take up an offer from Norway.
Strengthening on that side of the pitch will remain a priority when the transfer window opens.
With a big support expected to travel from the capital this weekend to back high-flying Hibs, the Shed End at Tannadice will be reserved for away fans on Saturday. |
