| And, as confirmation came through of Wilkie signing a new contract with the Tangerines, boss Craig Levein has taken the opportunity to reveal his weekend stand-in Dods also remains a big figure in his future plans.
Wilkie ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year deal last night, and talks have begun aimed at getting Dods to extend his Tannadice stay.
After dropping out of the team recently, the 33-year-old has been linked with a departure and, not for the first time, a return to former club Inverness Caley Thistle has been flagged up.
If his manager gets his way, however, the former Hibs and St Johnstone man is going nowhere.
“Darren will definitely be in the team on Sunday and he is a big part of my plans. I’m already speaking to him and he will be offered a new contract on improved terms,” confirmed Craig.
“He is a victim of the under-21 rule and the fact he is an out-and-out centre half. That means that if he isn’t in the starting line-up, he often does not feature at all because we need under-21s on the bench, and the likes of Danny Grainger and Mihael Kovacevic provide cover for a couple of positions.
“He still has a lot to offer, though, and he is an important player for us.”
Dods’ inclusion will leave at least one place still up for grabs and either Prince Buaben or David Robertson will come in for Scott Robertson when he is left out in a bid to clear a niggling groin problem.
With fringe players not seeing much action recently because of the weather, that trio were involved this afternoon when United travelled to Livingston for a closed-door game.
Talk, meanwhile, of Leeds United interest in on-loan midfielder Willo Flood was news to United. |
