Peterhead grab versatile United ace Fleming

PETERHEAD last night signed Dundee United defender Sean Fleming on loan until January.

The 19-year-old left back is added to the squad for today’s visit of Raith Rovers and Blue Toon manager Neale Cooper hopes the United under-19 captain can impress in his spell at Balmoor.

Cooper said: “Sean can play at left back or left midfield and his arrival will give us options down that flank as Daniel Moore can also play in both positions.

“I’ve spoken to Craig Levein and Steve Campbell at Tannadice about Sean and they both have high hopes for the player. He will go into the squad for the Raith game and hopefully we can get him involved as quickly as possible.”

Fleming joins a Blue Toon side bidding to move three points clear of visitors Raith. Four clubs are tied for first place on eight points and Cooper expects the Kirkcaldy club to make a strong challenge for the Second Division title this season.

He said: “Raith are the biggest club in the Second Division and they are the favourites to go up.

“I’m delighted with the start we have made but I believe there is much more to come from the players. We have done well in spells but we need to do it for 90 minutes rather than a half here and there.

“We defended really well to beat Alloa in difficult windy conditions last week but we will have to be much better this weekend against Raith.”

Davie Ross is doubtful for Cooper’s side as he suffered a thigh injury in the 1-0 win last weekend.

Raith boss John McGlynn wants his side to take the aggression shown against Falkirk in their League Cup defeat on Tuesday into today’s game at Balmoor.

He said: “We got up and at Falkirk and that’s how we want to play. We can sit in and be boring but we want to win games. We won’t change that.

“We’re two players down already from Tuesday's team and it doesn’t help the cause when you've not got a big squad. We will only have 11 or 12 first-team players available and young players will have to make up the numbers.”

Allan Walker is suspended following his red card against Falkirk and he will be joined by Robert Sloan, who has an ankle injury and Joe Dunbar, who is out for another three weeks with an Achilles tear.