Dundee United’s Mario Bilate hoping to make return before season’s end

Dundee United striker Mario Bilate is hoping he can make a return to action before the end of the season.

The Dutchman suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament earlier this week in training and was ruled out for around six months.

It was a hammer blow for the player as he had just recovered from his latest hamstring injury, a recurring problem that has blighted his time at Tannadice.

Bilate, who is out of contract next summer, said: “This is a huge blow because I had just got playing again after my hamstring injury.

“It’s extremely annoying for me and for the supporters.

“I don’t know how long the rehabilitation will take hopefully it can be shorter than normal and I can play some part this season.”