Shala ready to put on a show

07 May 2009 08:43
Tannadice youngsters Shala and Goodwillie will be drafted into Scottish Premier League action against Aberdeen on Thursday night after regular strikers Francisco Sandaza and Warren Feeney picked up injuries which will keep them on the sidelines. Goodwillie grabbed the headlines when he netted against Hibernian last weekend to secure a 2-1 victory for Craig Levein's team and keep them on course for a place in Europe. Young German Shala has yet to find the net for United in five appearances but has been in sparkling form for the reserves, where he and Goodwillie have led the line all season and have formed an impressive partnership. Now, with Levein set to unleash them together on the Dons, Shala - who arrived from VFR Mannheim last summer - is confident they can transfer their skills to the first team. He said: "David and I have played a lot of games in the reserves this season and we've both scored goals, so it will be good if the manager plays us together. "We have worked very hard on the training ground, so we know exactly how each other plays. "The manager has done a lot of work with us over the last year, showing us how we should move and how to finish, so it's time to make that count. "Everyone will say Fran and Warren Feeney are our top two strikers but I think Goodie and I can be a great partnership too. This is our time to show everyone exactly what we can do. "And it might help the team that Aberdeen don't know as much about us as they do the other players, so this could be an advantage. "It is a big chance to show that, although we are young, we are ready to attack the first team and do our bit to help the club in Europe." Shala added: "It is a massive game for the club because we could take a good step towards getting into the Europa League and possibly catching Hearts, depending on their result. "It is a very exciting time for the club and I'm just pleased to be a part of it." Aberdeen striker Lee Miller hopes to rediscover his goal-scoring form when he returns to face his former club. The Dons' top scorer is back available for the crunch encounter after serving a two-match suspension for going over the disciplinary points threshold. Miller has notched 10 goals already the season but has not scored since a double against Kilmarnock back in January. The 25-year-old said: "It has been frustrating from a personal point of view watching the games from the stand and not being involved. I'm obviously looking forward to get back playing. "I have been playing reasonably well in my past few games but the goals have dried up a bit. Hopefully, I can get back on the scoring trail and the United match would be a great place to start. "I have been working hard in training so hopefully I can take that onto the pitch by scoring some goals and creating some for others." The Dons currently sit four points adrift of rivals United, who are in fourth spot. And Miller admits his side cannot afford to lose any further ground in the race to secure qualification for Europe. He said added: "I think it is safe to say this is a must-win game. "We will go down there with a positive attitude and hopefully we will get the right result." Dundee Utd 10/11, Draw 9/4, Aberdeen 11/4  

Source: Team_Talk