Dundee United captain Ross Graham ruled out for months after surgery

Dundee United have suffered a blow ahead of the new season after Ross Graham was ruled out for months.

The newly-appointed club captain has been forced to undergo surgery and isn’t expected to return until late October.

Speaking ahead of the first leg of the Conference League qualifier against Una Strassen, manager Jim Goodwin admitted it was a “big loss” for the team.

“Unfortunately, Ross has had a recurrence of a hamstring injury over the last ten months,” the manager said. “It affected him greatly in the second half of the season.

“A couple of weeks ago we got a repeat of that injury. He’s seen some specialists and we’ve had surgery to the hamstring. Hopefully over the next two to three months he’ll make a complete recovery and will be available to play for us somewhere around the end of October.

“It’s a big loss for us as a group, particularly for myself after making him club captain.”

Graham has made over 120 appearances for United since breaking into the first team and the 24-year-old defender played a key role in an impressive return to the Premiership for United last season. Goodwin said he was ready for the responsibility and that he would continue to exert an influence through his recovery from Sunday.

“It was an easy choice in the end,” he said. “We’ve got lots of good leaders in the group but Ross really understands this club.

“He came through the academy system, he’s a local lad. He knows what the club means to the supporters and he’s able to relay that to the players.

“As much as he’s not going to be out there with us on the pitch for a considerable period of time, his presence will still be felt within the dressing room.

“He’ll continue to encourage the players and drive them on to success.”

Will Ferry will wear the armband in Graham’s absence and Goodwin says it will be another step up for a player who can develop further.

“It’s going to be a very proud moment for Will and his family, leading the team out for a European tie at Tannadice,” he said.

“We’re expecting a really good crowd and we’re pleasantly surprised at the amount of tickets that have been snapped up by our own supporters.

“From Will’s perspective it’s a great moment for a young player in his career.

“When you consider where we took Will from, in the lower leagues of England at Cheltenham Town, last season he was arguable one of our most outstanding players.

“We’re hoping he can build on that and do even better and hopefully that starts tomorrow in our first competitive game.”