Terrors travel to Diamonds

Dundee United travel to second division Airdrie United in the Scottish Cup fourth round this weekend.

Manager Peter Houston is currently waiting on the fitness of two unnamed players and will make decisions on them just before kick-off.

Definitely unavailable is long-term victim Scott Severin (broken leg), while Danny Swanson (knee) is also unlikely to be involved. But winger Gary Mackay-Steven comes up against his former club.

Houston still has strong recollections of the League Cup exit at Falkirk earlier in the season and is naturally keen to avoid a repeat.

"That was a huge disappointment and it is still in my mind and it's still in the players' minds," he told stv.tv. "We created a lot of chances that night but didn't take them and were punished for that.

"What it shows is that in cup competition when you get opportunities you have to put them away because it can come back to haunt you if you don't," Houston continued. "It is easy saying it but the big thing is going out there and actually doing it. But the lads will be well up for it because they are determined to do well for this club."

Airdrie are set to welcome back striker Derek Holmes from an ankle injury but winger Graeme Owens is still out.

Goalkeeper Paul McKane is similarly an absentee due to knee ligament damage suffered during the 1-0 win against Albion Rovers. Connor Fairley starts in his place.

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