Fitness race for defender

Dundee United aren't in action until Sunday afternoon when St Mirren are their latest visitors to Tannadice.

Full-back Keith Watson hopes to recover from a shoulder problem in time to feature while fellow defender Sean Dillon misses out again with a thigh injury.

Winger Gary Mackay-Steven remains their other casualty with a broken hand as the hosts chase only a third league win of the season in front of their own supporters.

"We're looking to get a home win for ourselves and, of course, for the fans," United manager Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. "Our home form obviously hasn't been what we'd like and we should have taken more points from certain games this season.

"What we have to try and do is go out there and get the three points which would make everyone associated with the club happy," he continued. "We have to try and be more ruthless in attack and make sure we don't give anything away at the back."

Kenny McLean is an absentee for the visitors after undergoing knee surgery which is likely to keep him out of action for several weeks.

But they are boosted by the return of both Marc McAusland and Jim Goodwin from suspension while Paul Dummett is making good progress from a muscle injury.

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