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General Sport - 25 March 2009
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Sandaza: best yet to come
He may have scored both goals against Celtic on Sunday, but Craig Levein feels Dundee United fans have still to see the best of Francisco Sandaza (writes Graeme Finnan).
The Spaniard, signed from Valencia, has hit seven league goals in his first season in Scottish football and his overall displays have made him a favourite among Tangerine fans.

However, while the manager has been delighted with the 24-year-old striker’s contribution, Craig feels there is definitely more to come.

“I feel Francisco has never been 100% fit and that has hindered him,” said the United boss.

“This first year has also been a learning experience for him and, although I know he has more to offer between now and the end of the season, I expect him to be on fire next season.”

The manager was delighted to see another of his front men among the goals last night.

Kevin Smith, on loan at Raith Rovers, struck twice for the Fifers in a 4-0 win at Brechin.

That was good news for his boss at Tannadice, who only last week challenged his loan men to push hard for a place in the United team.

“I always like to pick up the papers and read about our players, who are out on loan, having done well,” said Craig.

“That’s quite a few goals Kevin’s got at Raith and I don’t think he’s too far away from being top scorer there.

“Along with the likes of Johnny Russell (Forfar), and one or two others we have out on loan, they are doing well and gaining valuable experience.”

Meanwhile, although several of his team are away on international duty, the manager was still able to get some good work done with his squad.

“We have a lot of guys away, but we still have plenty here, so it is an opportunity to work with them and brush up on a few things.”

County check
Dundee boss Jocky Scott was back at his desk first thing this morning after making the long trip to Dingwall last night to check on Saturday’s opponents Ross County (writes Graeme Finnan).
And, after watching the Highlanders beat Dunfermline — Dundee’s opponents next Tuesday — the manager anticipates a tough 90 minutes at Victoria Park at the weekend.

But he knows maximum points are a must from both games if his team are to have any chance of pegging back St Johnstone at the top of the table.

“We know Saturday is going to be a very difficult game. We expect nothing else and we’ve got to be ready for it,” said Jocky.

“The players are well aware we have to win our next two games to put pressure on St Johnstone.”

The Dark Blues party will head up north on Friday and their numbers could be boosted by the return of Colin Cameron and Darren Young.

The midfield pair joined the rest of the squad in training today and, provided they suffer no reaction, will be available to face County.

Doris boost
Apart from the injured Kevin Rutkiewicz, Jody Morris and Andy Jackson, St Johnstone will have a full squad on duty for a closed-door game tomorrow (writes James Masson).
Rutkiewicz is resting a foot knock, Morris is on the way back from a knee injury and Jackson is out for the season with an Achilles problem. Steven Doris should be among those included as he has recovered from injury.

Kevin James will return to Saints next week following his loan spell with Ayr. Saints have had him watched during his time with the Honest Men, in which they haven’t conceded a goal.

The Perth club have been blunted in their attempt to get Richie Byrne back on loan again as rules state you can’t have the same player on a short-term loan twice in the same season. He has now returned to Inverness CT.

Boss Derek McInnes is seeing international action in Liverpool tonight. He’s in the Scotland squad for a Home International Masters tournament.

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