Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara hopes Jordan Moore can establish himself as a first-team player after being given the all-clear.
Moore, who has been battling skin cancer, made the welcome announcement via Twitter, proclaiming: “All clear again thank God. Perfect Christmas present for myself and my family – hope everyone has a great Christmas!!”
McNamara was clearly delighted to hear the good news and expressed the hope that his 20-year-old striker can now make real progress on the park.
“It seems like it has been ongoing for the last year, with various scans, and there has been good news and then setbacks for Jordan,” said the Tannadice boss.
“But this latest one was really good news and we just hope that’s it now.
“Jordan has been through a lot but hopefully now he can just focus on his football now.
“We want to get him back fit and ready for the first team.
“One of the reasons we let Brian Graham go on loan to St Johnstone was that we think Jordan is capable of stepping up and pushing for a first-team place.
“That has been on hold because of the setbacks he has had health-wise.
“But, hopefully, that’s gone now and in the second half of the season he will push for a place in the team.”
Still basking in the glory of their 2-1 win over Celtic last Sunday, the Tangerines have been busy building up to tomorrow’s trip to Perth to face St Johnstone,
United’s heroics may have grabbed the headlines at the weekend but Saints haven’t been doing too badly themselves of late.
Their unbeaten run, which continued with a tight home win over Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday, stretches back to the end of October.
Their form has not gone unnoticed at Tannadice.
McNamara said: “St Johnstone are on a good run of late and McDiarmid Park has always been a tricky venue for us.
“We will have to show the same levels of organisation, commitment and workrate as we did in the Celtic game.
“One thing that really pleased me was how we saw the game out because in the past we’ve kept attacking and lost goals in that situation.
“Last year at Celtic Park we tried to get a second when we were 1-0 up but conceded a throw-in which led to a goal.
“Celtic put us under pressure on Sunday again but I felt we coped with it well.
“It is all about learning and I would like to think it is a sign of this group growing up and using their experience.
“I feel we are moving forward as a team.
“Sunday was a great result but it’s gone now and we have to look forward to the St Johnstone game.”
United should have Gary Mackay-Steven back available after the winger missed the Hoops clash due to illness.
McNamara added: “Gary has trained so we will see how he is in the next few days before making a decision about Saturday.
“John Souttar is still feeling his ankle a bit so he is someone we ill keep an eye on as well.”
The United gaffer will again be without the suspended Paul Paton but his replacement Calum Butcher shone in the centre of the park against Celtic.
McNamara said: “Calum has done really well in that midfield role for us.
“He has good energy, strength and can pass so he has pleased me.
“With Paul suspended it has been a real chance for him and I thought he had a very good game against Celtic on Sunday.
“He’s been like a new player for us in the last while.
“His attitude has been spot on.
“He has had to wait for his chance but has certainly grasped it when it has come along.”