Jim Goodwin has backed Kevin Holt to come in and fill the void left by Ross Graham’s injury.
Graham is facing four weeks out after he hurt his hamstring last time out against St Mirren. Goodwin knows Holt can feel aggrieved that he actually finds himself out of the team and he will come in against Hibs. The Dundee United manager stated: “Kev is solid.
“We know what Kev’s going to bring and he was a massive player for his last season, helping us get promotion. In the games that he’s played already this season, he hasn’t let us down in the slightest. He was disappointed to find himself out of the team but that was down to the good form of Ross ahead of him. Hopefully, Kev will be available by the weekend and we’ll not have to unsettle that back line too much.”
Goodwin admitted Graham’s injury is a blow and just sums up United’s luck on the injury front. “Unfortunately, Rossco is going to have a period of time on the sidelines to let the hamstring heal”, Goodwin explained. “He’s been a big player for us this season, in terms of goal contributions and the key role in how good our defensive record is; clean sheets and everything else that goes with that.
“It was a bit of an innocuous one, to be honest. He went to hit a long diagonal ball to Vicko Sevelj on the right-hand side and he just felt it as he struck the ball. These things happen.
“There are teams all over the country that are suffering similar problems to ourselves at the moment with these niggly injuries. It just tests the rest of the group.”
Goodwin was pleased to see Emmanuel Adegboyega make his Republic of Ireland under-21 debut against Italy. The United boss stated: “I’m really pleased for Adegboyega.
“That potential international recognition was a big selling point to Manny, if he was to come to Dundee United and play in the Premiership.He got that debut this time and it’s just a great, positive story for Manny.
“It’s just the beginning for him, as far as I’m concerned. It’s down to his hard work and commitment that he’s had that call up and been given the opportunity. He’s very good in the 1v1 situations. He’s got good quality on the ball.
“He’s still very young in terms of a defender so he’s got a lot of learning still to do, but the pleasing thing for me is that he’s willing to learn. Hopefully it’ll be the first of many for him going forward.”
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