DUNDEE UNITED manager Peter Houston believes winger Gary Mackay-Steven will be raring to return to the first team as he recovers from his latest injury setback.
The 23-year-old suffered a fractured hand in the 2-1 win over Ross County on November 24, just a matter of days after making a comeback from knee surgery which saw him miss much of the early part of the season.
But Mackay-Steven, who is often touted as a potential transfer target for other clubs at this time of year, is said to be on course for a return to action when the SPL resumes on January 19.
His manager will obviously be delighted to see him back available, although whether Mackay-Steven starts against Kilmarnock in a week and a half’s time remains to be seen.
“The guy is desperate to get playing again because he had an injury and then got another one when he came back,” Houston said.
“He’s been held back recently simply because of the hand situation. When he got the plates in, he couldn’t run in case he tripped because if he fell on his hand it would be back to square one. But he’s back running again, he’s been using one of these stress balls and he’s got a lot of physio on it, so it’s looking much better. I know he’ll be itching to get back.”
Mackay-Steven joined United from Airdrie in July 2011 and last year signed a contract extension designed to keep him in Dundee until the summer of 2015.
One player who left Tannadice recently is Slovak striker Milos Lacny, who has been allowed to return to Sparta Prague after his recent loan spell in Scotland.
“The boy’s been a bit unlucky with regards to the injury situation that he’s not had a career at Dundee United, so it’s probably best that he goes back to his country and tries to get in the team that he plays for,” Houston continued.
It is hoped Lacny’s departure could potentially free up funds for at least one new face during the transfer window.
csmith@thecourier.co.uk