Source: Team_Talk
Houston hopes for fitness boost
Peter Houston says Dundee United's walking wounded are queuing up to declare themselves fit for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Raith.[LNB] United have flourished this season despite a a run of injuries that has threatened to undermine both their cup quest and push for third place in the Scottish Premier League.[LNB]Manager Houston looked set to face a defensive injury crisis for Sunday's game at Hampden, with Garry Kenneth suspended and both Andy Webster and Mihael Kovacevic struggling for fitness.[LNB]But the United boss had good news this afternoon on captain Webster and full-back Kovacevic, who were thought to be major doubts with respective calf and hamstring problems.[LNB]Revealing on-loan Rangers centre-back Webster had undergone a scan which showed no damage, Houston said: "It's a nerve problem coming from his lower-back/buttock area.[LNB]"He's been working today with a chiropractor to knock him into shape again and he'll get a wee bit of acupuncture.[LNB]"So, from a situation where I definitely thought he was going to be out with a calf injury, he's very, very hopeful now.[LNB]"He knows he's not going to tear his calf and be out for longer.[LNB]"He might be in the squad so that'll be a big bonus."[LNB]Houston revealed Kovacevic had trained today and was waiting to see if there was any reaction from his hamstring.[LNB]Should the Swiss and Webster prove their fitness, it would leave Scott Robertson as United's only definite injury absentee after striker Danny Cadamarteri returned from a three-month lay-off in Monday's SPL win at St Johnstone.[LNB]"It's funny how we've got a semi-final and everybody's starting to be fit again," Houston joked.[LNB]"That's a pleasant thing for me and I hope I've got a full squad of players to choose from, apart from Garry Kenneth.[LNB]"If I've got that then it gives me a problem, but it's a great problem to have."[LNB]Notwithstanding club captain Lee Wilkie's early retirement, there has been plenty of good news at Tannadice in recent months.[LNB]Indeed, the return of key players from injury has co-incided with United's best form of the season.[LNB]Unbeaten in eight and on a run of four straight victories in all competitions, it is a far cry from the turn of the year, when Craig Levein's departure threatened to derail their entire campaign.[LNB]Houston's first few matches as interim manager were a chastening experience for Scotland boss Levein's long-time lieutenant.[LNB]He explained today how the Scottish Cup proved his salvation, pointing to January's 2-0 win at Partick Thistle - set up by a controversial handball goal from Damian Casalinuovo - as the spark that reignited the club's faltering season.[LNB]"The turning point for me was our very first Scottish Cup tie," Houston said.[LNB]"We got a break, there was a handball.[LNB]"Sometimes you get wee breaks and things change.[LNB]"I've felt that since that game, we've turned the corner a wee bit.[LNB]"Confidence was really high after that.[LNB]"We've never looked back since."[LNB]United will be heavy favourites to beat First Division Raith and reach their first Scottish Cup final for five years.[LNB]But Houston said: "The big thing for me on Sunday is that we've got a group of players who won't take anything for granted.[LNB]"Just because it's Raith Rovers, we certainly won't think we only need to turn up.[LNB]"We need to be at it 100% because I've got a lot of respect for Raith Rovers, their manager and their team.[LNB]"I know some of their players as well personally.[LNB]"It's going to be a difficult game and we don't look forward any further than that semi-final."[LNB]
