HANNAH BLOW FOR UNITED

The experienced midfielder, 26, will have to rest after doctors found he had a badly damaged groin. Hannah has missed much of the season due to the problem, but now has discovered that persistent comebacks only aggravated the injury.

The former Celtic player thought he only had a strain, but the exanimation revealed part of the muscle at the top of the leg had detached from the bone.

Boss Alex Smith - who has already lost Jamie Fullarton for the rest of the season after his horrific leg break - has now lost his two most experienced midfielders ahead of United's SPL battle to beat the drop.

"David has been examined and was told it would be another eight weeks before he can start getting fit again," said Smith. "He's working with the trainer just now but he won't be available to me for quite a bit."

Meanwhile, United have taken Latvian international Valerijs Ivanovs on trial. The 30-year-old striker played against Scotland in the recent World Cup tie and is looking for a club after leaving Swedish champions Helsingborgs.