Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has paid tribute to the bravery shown by Lewis Toshney who made a substitute appearance against Brechin on Saturday despite still suffering from a badly-broken nose.
The 24-year-old defender sustained the injury during a closed-door game against Cove Rangers.
He was sent to hospital and was told that he could be out for up to eight weeks if he had his nose reset.
However, Toshney decided to put that off so he can play his part in McKinnon’s side with the manager praising his courage ahead of today’s closed-door game against Blackpool.
The manager said: “I was happy with the application against Brechin.
“It was a good work-out and most of the lads got 90 minutes under their belts which they needed.
“I am really pleased and they all seem to be taking things on board.
“And fair play to Tosher, playing with a broken nose – unbelievable.
“The first thing he had to do when he came on was to go and header it but it just shows he is exactly the right type we want at the club.
“I was also delighted for Murdo (Stewart Murdoch) in his first game. It was good for him to get 90.
“But there was lots of good football and we just need to keep that tempo up on and off the ball.
“We are still looking and if we can get some more bodies in, we will.”
One of the players McKinnon is continuing to look at is recent trialist Stephane Zubar who will play against Blackpool.
However, McKinnon revealed that his interest in another defender, Reading’s Zak Jules, has ended.
He said: “Zubar will be back in on Tuesday for the game and we will be having another look at him.
“But Harry (Souttar) did well against Brechin and he is a promising young kid.
“However, Jaap Stam has come in as manager at Reading and really likes Zak Jules so they are keeping him there for the time being which is a bit unfortunate for us.”
