Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has confirmed that Lachlan Rose and Mehdi Merghem are doubtful for the weekend clash with Aberdeen.
The Australian striker came off the bench in the draw with St Johnstone but suffered an ankle injury. It is a blow for the former Newcastle Jets star who is looking to recapture the early-season form he showed in the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup.
Winger Merghem is battling back from a knee issue that has sidelined him in recent weeks.
Goodwin provides injury update
Goodwin said: “Lachie Rose came on as sub but unfortunately rolled his ankle a wee bit and it off his feet at the moment.
“Thankfully we don’t think it’s anything too serious. The rest of the guys are good after the weekend. Mehdi isn’t back in training yet, he’s in a good place mentally and physically but needs a little bit more time.
“We will push him and see if we can get him back involved for the weekend. If he doesn’t make this one then I’d be confident he’ll be back for the next one.”
United seek ruthless edge in front of goal
United are looking for somebody to grab the bull by the horns and to start scoring at the top end of the pitch. That is the only thing missing and Goodwin is confident if that happens they his team will really take off.
The Irishman claimed: “We are just crying out for someone to get on the end of things and put the ball in the net. That has been a theme of the season so far. I can’t fault the players too much because they’re putting in the effort, but it’s an area of the pitch we’re spending a lot of time on.
“I think back to middle we’ve been excellent in a lot of the games, but it’s just about that finishing touch. We need someone to be ruthless at the top end of the pitch and convert the chances we’re creating. We need the strikers to be scoring goals, that’s the bottom line.”
Metsoko backed despite scoring drought
Idjessi Metsoko is one who has to catch fire on the scoring front, but Goodwin believes he is offering other qualities. He admitted: “Idjessi has had a fair bit of game time in recent weeks and there’s more to his game than just putting the ball in the back of the net.
“I know, ultimately, people judge strikers on the goals they score. But his workrate for the team and his link-up play has been good. I just feel he’s waiting for an opportunity to go in off him and that will kick-start things for him.
“There’s no getting away from the fact that all our strikers need to score more. Some of them, the likes of Zac Sapsford and Lachie Rose, might argue back and say they haven’t had as much game time. But they need to be scoring.
“When we had success a few seasons ago Sam Dalby was influential in that scoring 11 or 12 goals, whatever it was. That’s the challenge for the players here now, you need that kind of return to turn things into a successful season.
“Zac (Sapsford) showed last season in his debut season he’s capable, 11 goals was a good return and we know he’s a finisher.
“So we will see what happens in training for the rest of the week and what team we’ll pick for the weekend.”
