Dundee United boss Csaba Laszlo faces some key selection decisions as he tries to get his team back to winning ways at Queen of the South today.
After an opening day league defeat that saw three goals conceded in the second half against Dunfermline last week, his desire to make changes is obvious.
However, a number of factors, not least fitness, will come into play before he finalises his line-up.
Stewart Murdoch could return to the defence if he’s recovered from the swollen knee that forced him to sit out the Pars clash and the recent Betfred Cup trip to Elgin.
And if he’s come through training this week without any reaction to the knock that’s sidelined him since last month’s defeat at Ross County, full-back Callum Booth will also return to the squad.
After almost a month out, though, it may be the best he can hope for is a place on the bench.
And the fact today sees United’s first outing of the campaign on a synthetic surface could be a factor in whether or not the pair are involved.
Whoever he decides, or is able to use, Csaba will be looking for much better this time round.
While injuries have ruled out various key players in the games so far, he believes those taking their places should be doing so with the aim of hanging on to them even if everyone is fit.
“I have said to the team you cannot wait for Fraser Fyvie or Stewart Murdoch or Callum Booth or Billy King,” he said.
“You should not just be a shadow for these players, you have to deliver, make competition for places.
“They want to play in the first XI when they are fit – do you want to just give them your place?”
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