Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson will start building for the future after being told he won’t play again this season.
Robertson has just returned to Tannadice after spending five days at the National Sports Injury clinic at Lilleshall in England in a bid to discover the cause of the pelvic problem that has dogged him for the last year and a bit.
He had hoped to return for the first time since December to play a part in the Tangerines’ run-in but, after being assessed by medical experts, he has been told he won’t feature again until next term.
The 24-year-old has been given a series of muscle-strengthening exercises to do until pre-season starts again in July so will spend his time working on them.
“Scott spent a few days down at Lilleshall last week and got a lot of one-to-one consultations with the people there,” said United boss Peter Houston.
“They have given him exercises to do to build up the muscles at the top of his legs to strengthen the pelvic area.
“The physio he saw has treated three other players with the same thing and this course of action has worked in the past.
“He won’t play again this season now and is building up specifically for the start of pre-season in the summer.
“We will look forward to getting him back then.”Red cardHouston, meanwhile, has reviewed Paul Dixon’s sending-off against Motherwell and agreed with referee Willie Collum’s decision to hand the full-back a red card.
The Scotland squad man was sent packing for a late and high challenge on Jim O’Brien after being fouled by the former United winger minutes beforehand.
“I have watched the incident again and have no complaints about it,” added Houston.
“Jim O’Brien’s tackle was a bit naughty just before it and I think that is what provoked it.
“I am surprised because it is not in either of their natures.
“It was an unfortunate incident but the referee dealt with it properly.”Watson returnsUnited have been boosted by the return of Keith Watson from a long-term knee injury and the young player has slotted in at right-back effortlessly.
“Keith is doing magnificently for us and there is still loads to come from him,” said Houston.
“Watching him, you wouldn’t know he has hardly played in the SPL.
“Getting that experience at East Fife earlier in the season helped him.
“He has had a lot of injury problems but has shown great character to come back from them.
“I have really high hopes for him.”
Rangers fans have been quick to buy tickets for their visit to Tannadice on Wednesday, April 14.
The entire allocation of away end briefs on sale at the United club shop has gone.
Ibrox fans are anticipating the prospect of the Light Blues clinching the SPL championship that night, although they will have to win all their matches from now till then for that to become a possibility.
Home end tickets are still available and the Tangerines will be making stringent checks against their database to ensure that these go only to United supporters.