Defender Andy Webster will not know which team he wants to win tonight as Rangers travel to Tannadice for the rearranged SPL game. He will be sitting in the stand as he cannot get involved on the playing side of things under the terms of his loan from Ibrox. It looks like manager Craig Levein will use Darren Dods as his replacement, while Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben will be given up to the last minute to prove their fitness after carrying knocks for the past week. United go into the game four points behind their opponents on the back of a disappointing goalless draw at Hearts on Saturday. This is not what Levein had hoped for. He thought his side would be in a position to overtake Rangers but is confident his men can continue to apply pressure. He said: "I'm disappointed we didn't win on Saturday because that was a chance to go into this match only two points behind. But it's a long season and plenty water will flow under the bridge. What we're trying to do is hang in there and, as I keep saying, we'll get stronger as the season goes on."

Midfielder Kevin Thomson is expected to shake off a hamstring strain in time to be involved and is the only new injury doubt for Walter Smith's side, who are still without goalkeeper Allan McGregor (hamstring). Midfielder Maurice Edu could make his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ankle knock picked up while recuperating from knee surgery. The game in hand is the first of a run of five fixtures Smith believes could affect the outcome of the title race, ending with the Old Firm derby on January 3. However,  he noted that the last two championships have been won by teams coming from behind in the second half of the season. He said: "Last year, when we got over the Celtic game, we were seven points behind and we managed to claw that back. The previous season, Celtic had been seven points behind Rangers and they managed to claw that back as well. So maybe that's the secret!''

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