Houston expecting entertaining derby

Dundee United could hand a debut to latest signing Lauri Dalla Valle for their Tayside derby at St Johnstone.

The Finnish striker arrived on loan from Fulham this week and was expected to be joined in the side by midfielder Danny Swanson after completing the full ninety minutes in a midweek bounce game against Rangers.

"I went to the St Johnstone game on Wednesday and was impressed by how they went about their business," manager Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. "Derek McInnes has a very good group of players and I think he might make a few changes. They rested the likes of Callum Davidson and David McCracken so I'd expect them to come back in.

"St Johnstone have a few players we know, like David Robertson, Francisco Sandaza and Alan Maybury, who I know from his time at Hearts," he added. "You always mention the fact that you are coming up against former players and they will want to do their best against us. This weekend has all the ingredients of a very good derby game."

Saints will be without midfielder Murray Davidson after suffering a medial ligament strain while Sam Parkin, Chris Millar and Kevin Moon remain sidelined.

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