Striker Collin Samuel is ready to fill the breach on the left side of the Dundee United midfield tomorrow — and, in the process, hopes to boost his chances of an appearance at this summer’s World Cup Finals.
With Barry Robson suspended and Jim McIntyre out for the rest of the campaign due to a slipped disc, on paper there appears to be a gaping hole on the Tangerines flank as they prepare to play host to Inverness Caley Thistle.
Samuel, though, has revealed he might just provide the solution to boss Craig Brewster’s selection quandary.
Although recognised mainly as a central attacker, in the past he has operated on the right for United and admits he is no stranger to the other side of the park either.
“It is something we have been working on in training, but I don’t know yet what the manager has in mind. It could be me who plays wide or it could be David Fernandez,” he said.
“If I am asked to play there I will, because we are short and it will be for the good of the team. It would be the first time I have played left for United, because the other games I’ve been wide it has been on the right.
“But when I have played for Trinidad under (Leo) Beenhakker, he has used me on the left.
“In fact, if I am not in the middle, I probably feel happier on the left. That way I can come inside on to my stronger right foot and I feel more comfortable.
“And if I am playing there for my club, it has to help my chance of making the squad for the World Cup. I am going to be involved for the game against Iceland in London at the end of this month, but that does not mean I am going to Germany.
“There are a few games coming up and I think the most important one to be involved in is against Peru on May 10. That is our last home game before the finals and the squad for that game will be close to the one for the World Cup.”
Tomorrow, it will not be World Cups, but SPL points that are on “Sammy’s” mind and he accepts it is time the players chalked up a first win under the new manager.
“We have had good performances against Celtic and Hearts and, although last week was disappointing at Motherwell, we have mostly played well since the gaffer took over. We have not won, though, and this is a game we feel we should.”
For his part, the manager was adopting a wait-and-see policy regarding who will fill in on the left — only kick-off will reveal the way he has decided to go.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but the situation means someone will have to play slightly out of position and we’ll have to chop and change a bit to accommodate that. Whoever plays there will be capable of doing a job,” said Craig.
And, although he is looking for his first win when his old team come calling, on that score the United boss is remaining relaxed.
“As I’ve been saying, what I look for is a performance. If we play well consistently, wins will come and I just want the boys to play as they can. It will not be an easy game and I know that the Caley boys will fight for everything, but we are looking forward to them coming down here.”