Kristijan Trapanovski suffers Dundee United injury blow as Jim Goodwin reveals timeline over return

Dundee United have been rocked by the news Kristijan Trapanovski could be out for up to four weeks.

The Macedonian winger injured his hamstring and missed the weekend draw with Kilmarnock. United had hoped it would only be a minor issue but scans have confirmed that there is damage and he will be ruled out for three or four weeks. Boss Jim Goodwin confirmed: “No, he won’t be fit for the weekend. He is looking at another three or four weeks from just now. He did his hamstring in training last week. We thought it might settle down. We sent him for a scan and it has come back as a slight nick in the hamstring, so we are looking at three or four weeks out.

It is a bit of a double flow for the 25-year-old. He was set to be named in the North Macedonia squad for the Nations League games with Armenia and away to Latvia, but will now remain in Scotland for treatment. Trapanovski is still looking to win a cap after being called up for his country for the first time last month.

Goodwin confirmed: “He would have been (selected) but won’t be travelling now. He has had a really positive start to the season. He got the international recognition of being called up for the North Macedonia squad for the last games, although he never got on it was still a proud moment for him. Kristijan is disappointed to miss games for us and that international camp.

“It is a blow but he is in a good place in terms of dealing with the situation. He understands that is part and parcel of football and being a professional athlete. It is the first injury he has ever had. It is something new to deal with.”

Trapanovski’s misfortune could open the door for the likes of Glenn Middleton to push for more game time, while new signing Meshack Ubochioma is looking