United facing defensive crisis

DUNDEE United defender Paul Dixon faces three weeks on the sidelines with damaged ankle ligaments.

The left back hobbled off against St Johnstone last weekend after tripping and has suffered severe bruising and swelling in the ankle.

United feared he had also injured his medial ligament but the pain in the knee has subsided.

With fellow full back Mihael Kovacevic also missing – because of a facial injury – United manager Peter Houston has a defensive crisis.

Captain Andy Webster is still rated doubtful for tomorrow’s game against Hamilton Accies. If Webster does not make it, then the Arabs could be faced with playing midfielder Greg Cameron as an emergency full back. Houston may recall youngster Keith Watson from his loan at East Fife.

Houston said: “The injury comes at a bad time for us. We’re down to the bare bones at the back and I’ll have to have a real think about what we’re going to do for the Hamilton game.

“It’s not an ideal situation but that’s why you have a squad of players. We have shown great resilience this season and, nomatter what team we pick, they will be giving their all.”