Benedictus limbering up for Dundee squad duty

DUNDEE’S Kyle Benedictus is edging closer to fitness after his shin-splints injury.

The Scotland under-19 defender has been missing for most of the season after complaining of pain in his legs.

But he has resumed training and is on schedule for his comeback. Manager Jocky Scott will start the teenager in the derby friendly against Dundee United next week before considering him for the first team again.

He said: “It will be good to get him back in the squad because we’ve got a few injury problems.”

Dundee have been dealt a significant double blow by the international call-ups for attacker Leigh Griffiths and defender Chris Casement.

Griffiths has been named in the Scotland under-21 squad for the European championship qualifier against Azerbaijan next weekend and will miss the match against Queen of the South.

Also missing will be Casement, who has been drafted in by Northern Ireland for their games with Germany and the Czech Republic.

St Johnstone midfielder Paul Sheerin is ready to step-up into a player-manager role.

He reckons managers such as Craig Levein and Mixu Paatelainen have proved the lower leagues are a good breeding ground.

The former Caley Thistle and Aberdeen midfielder was beaten to the Arbroath post by former club captain Jim Weir.

Sheerin’s heart is still set on a move into management and he said: “There was an element of disappointment. It was a good learning process. I had nothing to lose.”