RUDI SKACEL is fighting the battle of wounded thigh as he strives to be fit to face former club Hearts.
An advertising hoarding is responsible for putting the Dundee United star’s much-anticipated return to Tynecastle in jeopardy.
A clash with the wooden board at Tannadice during Saturday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle left him with a gash in his thigh that needed nine stitches.
It would be huge disappointment for the player should he be forced to sit this one out just as he appears to be hitting form for United.
Skacel will be on a high after scoring his first goal for the Tangerines in that remarkable ICT match so it is a case of fingers-crossed that the injury heals sufficiently to allow him to return to the stage he graced for so long with the Jam Tarts.
United boss Peter Houston said: “Rudi has had nine stitches inserted in his leg,
“He hit the advertising board. I didn’t actually see it at the time but it has done a bit of damage. He will be desperate to play on Sunday, especially going back to Tynecastle, but we will just have to wait and see how he is.
“I thought the Inverness one was his best game and I have seen him getting stronger in the past few weeks.
“It is good for him to get the monkey off his back with his first goal because he has come close a few times before that and what you have to remember is that it was on his weaker right foot as well.”
While there remains a chance that Skacel will stay on beyond his short-term deal, which ends on January 30, heading out the door is on-loan Sparta Prague striker Milos Lacny.
The 24-year-old Slovak has had an injury-hit time at Tannadice since arriving on loan from Sparta Prague last January and required career-saving surgery after tearing his cruciate ligament in training within weeks of coming to the SPL.
United boss Houston admits the player has found it tough trying to get into the side.
He confirmed: “Milos’s contract is up on January 9 and it is likely he will be going back home. He has been unfortunate that he has been out injured. It is also difficult when you see our front pairing of Jon Daly and Johnny Russell scoring goals regularly. It is hard to break those two up with a view to getting into the team.”
Houston also revealed talks over his own future will take place soon. His agent, former Hearts player John Colquhoun, will be meeting with United chairman Stephen Thompson.
United have taken Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Polacek, a free agent, on trial.
iroache@thecourier.co.uk