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General Sport - 30 September 2008
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Conway’s challenge
Dundee United wide man Craig Conway has been challenged to reproduce Saturday’s match-winning performance against Hearts — again and again and again (writes Tom Duthie).
Conway scored the opener, set up another and was a constant threat as the Tangerines ran out easy 3-0 winners over the side that are third in the SPL.

And now that he seems to be over problems with broken bones in his feet, manager Craig Levein is keen to see his present form become the norm.

“It is still early days and you do have to remember that wingers tend not to be the most consistent players in any team, but it would be good to see him making that kind of contribution on a regular basis.

“He is feeling fit and strong, and you saw from the way he kept picking himself up and running at people after being thumped on Saturday that he is confident his injuries are past.

“If he continues to steer clear of injury, he can keep putting in those kind of displays because he is a talented boy.”

The manager believes another key in Conway’s re-emergence as a first-team force was the decision to hand him a new contract.

“He was in his final year and I think the new deal has left him more relaxed about his future and free to concentrate on his game,” added Craig.

“On top of that, he was on the same deal he signed originally when Craig Brewster brought him to the club and, by giving him more money, it showed I have faith in his ability and it’s boosted his confidence.”

This afternoon, the reserves were on league duty at Hibs, but a niggling knee problem meant centre-half Garry Kenneth did not travel.

His absence saw teenager Keith Watson move into the middle, though the main object of the youngster’s appearance was to get him another 90 minutes as he continued his build-up from serious knee problems.

Over the next couple of months, he is likely to be farmed out to get some first-team games under his belt.

“The physio has arranged for him to have a series of tests to determine his muscle strength in about a month and, all being well, we’ll put him out for a wee while after that,” confirmed Craig.

Rae may seek loan deals to bolster squad
Dundee boss Alex Rae may make more use of the emergency loan system as he looks to put together a team for this weekend’s visit to Partick Thistle (writes Tom Duthie).
As has been well documented, in addition to a form slump, the Dark Blues have been hit by injuries to no fewer than eight top-team squad members.

As the unavailable list continued to grow, last week Alex brought in Kilmarnock’s Rhian Dodds on loan and others could follow in the next few days.

“It is something we will have to look at because we need more bodies. However, it comes down to a question of the right people being available at the right time, so I’ll have to check out the situation.”

Dodds’ performance against St Johnstone was one of the few bright spots of a bad weekend and the manager admitted he liked what he saw.

“He confirmed he is a decent footballer and can do a decent job for us. He came in at a difficult time, but he coped well.”

Returning to the injury front, visits to specialists tonight should confirm how long Colin McMenamin (knee) and Eric Paton (shoulder) are likely to be sidelined for.

With neither showing any signs of improvement since getting crocked at McDiarmid Park, Alex is not expecting good news.

Saints keeper blow
St Johnstone back-up keeper Euan McLean has suffered an injury blow (writes James Masson).
The former Dundee United player has suffered a wrist injury and is in plaster.

Saints are now searching for a keeper to act as No. 2 to Alan Main and want the new man fixed up prior to Saturday’s home game against Airdrie United. Injuries have prevented Steven Anderson and Kevin Rutkiewicz from training so far this week, but Saints are hopeful they’ll be OK for the weekend.

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