Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Dundee United ‘confident’ of Ross Docherty return as Jim Goodwin offers Declan Gallagher fitness update

United could be boosted by the availability of three key players when they face Queen of the South next week.

Ross Docherty in action for Dundee United
Ross Docherty has been a star performer when available. Image: SNS

Jim Goodwin is “confident” Dundee United captain Ross Docherty will be able to resume full training in the coming week.

The Tannadice boss has been without the combative midfielder since he limped out of their Championship fixture against Airdrie with just 19 minutes on the clock, nursing a groin strain.

Given Docherty has also endured issues with both hamstrings over the course of the campaign, Goodwin was determined to practice patience and ensure one of his star performers is 100% ready before being pitched back into action.

But Goodwin expects Docherty to come into contention for the upcoming Scottish Cup visit to Queen of the South next Saturday.

Declan Gallagher and Louis Moult – the latter was fit enough for a place on the bench in Friday night’s 4-2 defeat at Falkirk – are expected to return to the side for the trip to Palmerston Park.

Declan Gallagher will be welcomed back as a stabilising force in the Dundee United backline.
Declan Gallagher is set for a swift return. Image: Shutterstock / Richard Wiseman

“Declan (Gallagher) had a little niggle on Friday night and we didn’t feel he was worth risking in that game,” confirmed Goodwin. “Louis Moult was similar, which is why he didn’t start the game.

“Both of those players should be fit and available for Saturday.

“Also, we’ll see how Ross Docherty reacts to treatment and rehab over the weekend. I’m confident he’ll join in with the group in the middle part of next week.”

A third academy debutant

On a forgettable, underwhelming night for all of a United persuasion, there was a faint silver lining in the debut earned by 17-year-old midfielder Adam Carnwath.

He became the third academy graduate to be given his senior bow by Goodwin, following 16-year-old duo Owen Stirton, who also featured against Falkirk, and Scott Constable.

And Goodwin is adamant Carnwath’s cameo was granted “on merit” after a string of fine displays for the Terrors’ youth side, including a goalscoring outing against the Bairns’ U18s last week.

Dundee United's 17-year-old debutant Adam Carnwath
Dundee United’s 17-year-old debutant Adam Carnwath. Image: SNS

“Adam did really well at the Falkirk Stadium last week in the U18s game,” added Goodwin. “He caught my eye on the day.

“I feel a little sorry for him because it’s not the sort of game you’d want your debut to be remembered for. But it should be a very proud moment for him and his family.

“He got that opportunity on merit and I actually thought he did quite well in the limited time he was on the pitch.”

Conversation