
Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson is hopeful the 2-0 success over Queen of the South at the weekend hasn’t come with a double injury blow.
With potentially the biggest clash of the season coming this Saturday at second-placed Ross County, the Tannadice gaffer could do with having every option available to him.
That will mean an anxious wait over the fitness of defenders Freddie Frans and Callum Booth, both of whom picked up knocks at the weekend.
Frans was originally down to start the game against the Doonhamers but hurt his calf in the warm-up.
The Belgian was in for a scan on the problem yesterday and his manager is hopeful it’s not a major problem that will keep him out for the Dingwall trip.
Should he miss out, however, Robbie will have no worries about sticking with his late replacement on Saturday.
William Edjenguele stepped up and put in a solid display in the middle of the defence alongside Rachid Bouhenna.
Booth, meanwhile, limped off late on with a hamstring problem after United had gone 2-0 up.
Robbie said: “Frans tweaked his calf. He got a scan yesterday but we think he might be OK for Saturday.
“However, to be honest, I thought Edjenguele came in on Saturday and did really well and showed the quality he has.
“Booth had a tight hamstring which he’d been carrying a wee bit and once it went 2-0 I thought there was no point taking a risk on it.
“We shuffled things about with Stewart Murdoch going to left-back and Adam Barton came on on the right.
“Barton wasn’t even in the squad but got the call down just before the game and managed to get on the pitch.
“That shows the depth of the squad but also that the guys prepare properly even when they’re not in the team.
“Saturday showed that even when you’re not in the squad, sometimes you can play. It doesn’t happen that often but you need to be ready.”
Nicky Clark, meanwhile, continued his comeback, playing the final 30 minutes on Saturday and is pushing for a return to the starting line-up.
The only United player on the physio’s table right now is Lewis Toshney as he works to overcome his latest setback.