Live Commentary

Swanson doubtful for United Dundee United manager Peter Houston must decide whether to risk Danny Swanson for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Inverness. The midfielder missed Thursday's Europa League defeat by AEK Athens after failing to recover in time following Achilles trouble but he could return on Sunday. Striker Francisco Sandaza will miss the match as he bids to win a move to Swansea. Dundee United legend Maurice Malpas is confident Inverness can heap more misery on his old club. The Inverness assistant manager, who made more than 600 appearances for United over a glorious 19-year spell, watched his former team lose 1-0 to AEK Athens. And he believes Caley Thistle can also come away from Tannadice with a result if they play as they did in the first half of their Premier League opener against Celtic. Inverness were over-run in the second half of their 1-0 defeat but they created several good openings in the first period and dominated the early exchanges. "Dundee United are a good team but if we can play in the same manner we did in the first half against Celtic, and create the same kind of chances, then we'll be okay," Malpas said. "The level is slightly down from Celtic but we've got to make sure we're pushing our performances up the way. "We will go there and make it difficult for United because, if they go a goal in front, they are very rarely beaten because they've got big strong lads and just sit in and defend. "It's all about what we do, how we play, how we turn up and it's the only thing I've got an influence on. "If we turn up with the right attitude, nice and bright, play with a smile on our faces, and hopefully have the bigger smile at the end of the game by winning it." Eric Odhiambo is also making a return to Tannadice, having played on loan with United from Leicester two seasons ago. And Malpas believes the Inverness forward can have a major impact on proceedings. "Eric's an exciting player and makes people sit up and take notice of him when he's playing well," Terry Butcher's number two said. "But sometimes fans are too quick to criticise him if he isn't sparkling. He's the type of player who needs to be in about the action and playing games." Inverness new boy Gil Blumenshtein will miss out. The 19-year-old only lasted 17 minutes on his SPL debut against Celtic after tearing a calf muscle and will be out for about four weeks. Club captain Richie Foran is still out with a knee injury and defender Chris Innes serves the final match of a two-game ban. Inverness boss Butcher has backed his team to bounce back from their disappointing second-half performance against Celtic ahead of their first away trip of the season. The Highlanders impressed in the early stages of their opening 1-0 defeat but failed to get going in the second 45 minutes as Paddy McCourt's solo effort gave Celtic a victory that should have been more convincing given the number of chances the visitors created. Scottish Cup holders Dundee United are next up for Inverness but Butcher is confident his men can get their league campaign off and running at Tannadice on Sunday. "The lads didn't really enjoy the second half against Celtic last week but certainly enjoyed the first 45 and it's given us something to build on for this week and the season," the former Rangers and England captain said. "We're up against teams now who have finished second and third last season so it's a fantastic test for us and we want to do well. "We've got to play these kinds of teams at some stage of the season so may as well face them early on. "But playing against top clubs makes you raise your game, as was the case last weekend, but we've had a look at the Celtic game and sat down to discuss what we did well and what we didn't and put what we do want into practice. "We went to the city of Dundee last season but this time it's different and we're back in the big time on the other side of the road so it's exciting."