DUFC

EVERYONE FIT FOR DUTCH TRIP

11th July 2001

Several top team men were missing on Wednesday afternoon as United stepped up their pre-season build up with a closed door friendly against senior opposition, but no alarm bells are ringing at Tannadice.

While strains meant Charlie Miller, Derek Lilley, David Hannah and new signing Jim McIntyre all had to sit out the game, boss Alex Smith stressed the absences were purely precautionary measures. 'We switched to ball work now after the running we were doing last week and a few of the boys are suffering a bit with all the twisting and turning,'' he said. ''We've no serious problems, though, and all the boys will be okay for the Dutch trip.''

Alex also confirmed that the good progress Stephen Wright has made in his come-back from the knee injury that ruled him out for most of last season has been sufficient to earn him a place on the plane on Saturday morning.

"He's worked hard and has made good progress, and it's nice to see he's made it," said Alex.