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General Sport - 29 November 2007
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Tangerine duo in fitness race
Dundee United boss Craig Levein is sweating over the fitness of Noel Hunt and Prince Buaben ahead of Saturday’s SPL clash against Inverness Caley (writes Graeme Finnan).
Striker Hunt missed last week’s game against Hibs due to a dead leg and hasn’t trained so far this week, while midfield man Buaben has been having back problems.

“Noel has been getting treatment all week, while Prince’s back has been bothering him for some time now, but, hopefully, they’ll both be OK for the weekend,” said Craig.

Injured striker Jon Daly is poised to go for a check on his damaged ankle. The big Irishman was forced to come off against Hibs after tearing ligaments and is set to be out for the next two months.

It’s the latest blow in a catalogue of setbacks for Daly, who had only recently recovered from more than six months out with a cruciate injury.

However, the manager is backing the big striker to battle his way back to fitness.

“Jon is going for an ultrasound scan tomorrow to find out the exact extent of the damage,” said Craig.

“But he’s a very positive lad and is pretty philosophical about the whole thing. It was a tough tackle he went into, but that’s the sort of guy Jon is.”

Meanwhile, as had been expected, the Tangerines lost a member of their coaching staff today when Tony Docherty joined St Johnstone as assistant boss.

He teams up with former United midfielder Derek McInnes, who was named Saints’ new manager earlier this week.

And, while disappointed to see a member of his backroom team leave, Craig felt it was an opportunity for Docherty to move up the coaching ladder.

“I’m really pleased for ‘Doc’, this is a step up for him. He’s been coaching the reserves for the past few years now and this is a natural progression.

“He’s an ambitious man and he’s going to a good club. I’m sure he’ll do well. It does leave us one short on the coaching side, but I have someone in mind who can come in, although, at the moment, it’s not a priority.”

Eddie’s last stand?
Eddie Malone seems poised to play his last game for Dundee when they meet Dunfermline at East End Park on Saturday (writes Graeme Finnan).
The 22-year-old’s one-month loan deal comes to an end and he will head back to St Mirren unless something can be thrashed out between the clubs in the next 24 hours.

“Eddie’s done well for us in his short time here, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” said Dundee boss Alex Rae

David O’Brien remains a doubt for the trip to East End Park due to an ankle injury.

“David came back, then took another wee knock in the same place and he was unable to train today,” added the manager.

Another player struggling with an ankle injury is striker Bryan Deasley.

The youngster has struggled to break into the Dundee starting line-up this term and had a spell on loan at Cowdenbeath.

Danny Griffin, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to East Fife, although Alex described such talk as “pure speculation”.

Doc on call at Saints
Tony Docherty was installed as assistant boss at St Johnstone today and manager Derek McInnes praised chairman Geoff Brown for sealing the deal to bring his new No. 2 in so quickly from Dundee United (writes James Masson).
“I’ve brought in the man I wanted and the chairman has worked hard to make sure Tony came in so soon after I was appointed team boss,” said Derek.

Saturday’s away game against Partick looks like being the last Kenny Deuchar will play for Saints, at least for the present.

Kenny was signed on an emergency loan from Gretna and that deal expires on Monday.

Derek said, “Kenny wanted to stay, but he’s Gretna’s player and they want him back.”

Saints have a doubt over Allan McManus for the Partick game. The central defender has a calf injury and a late decision will be made.

On Saturday (9.30-11 am), for the price of £2, Saints fans will be able to have their picture taken in the Muirton Suite with the Challenge Cup. Fans can also bring their own cameras to record the event. All monies raised will go to a local charity.

Away ties for Dundee and United
Dundee and Dundee United were handed away ties when the Scottish Cup fourth-round draw took place at Hampden this afternoon.
The Dark Blues must travel to face Highland League Huntly, while Craig Levein’s men will meet Clyde at Broadwood.

St Johnstone entertain Raith, while there are all-Premier League affairs between Falkirk-Aberdeen, Hibs-ICT and Hearts-Motherwell.

There will be big pay days for Stirling Albion and East Stirling, who are guests of Celtic and Rangers respectively.

Full draw: Hamilton v. Brechin City or East Fife, St Mirren v. Dumbarton, Partick v. Dunfermline, Falkirk v. Aberdeen, Hibs v. Inverness CT, Huntly v. Dundee, Hearts v. Motherwell, Rangers v. East Stirling, QOS v. Linlithgow Rose, Morton v. Gretna, Airdrie or Queen’s Park v. Kilmarnock, St Johnstone v. Raith, Cove Rangers v. Ross County, Clyde v. Dundee United, Livingston v. Cowdenbeath, Celtic v. Stirling Albion. Ties on Jan. 12-13.

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