Terrors look to recover ground

Dundee United aim to recapture a European place when entertaining bottom-of-the-table Dunfermline Athletic at Tannadice.

The Tangerines slipped to fifth in midweek following St Johnstone's narrow 1-0 victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The Perth side next travel to champions-elect Celtic tomorrow.

Defender Robbie Neilson returns in place of Keith Watson while leading goalscorer Jon Daly should continue despite requiring stitches in a head wound. Fellow striker Milos Lacny is out and facing a knee operation over the weekend.

"In many ways I think the Dunfermline game will be the most difficult one we've faced lately," manager Peter Houston admitted to BBC Scotland. "There is an expectation on us because of the run we're on.

"So it is going to be a very hard game and we will need to show the same level of application and good attitude we have been doing," he added. "Dunfermline have already beaten us at home this season. There are no easy games in the SPL and that is even more so when you come up against a team fighting for their lives."

Dunfermline are already without Andrew Barrowman (calf), Nicky Phinn (hamstring), Steven Bell (knee) and goalkeeper Paul Gallacher (shoulder).

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