Captain Graham out for three months but will still 'drive players on'

BBC News

3 days ago

Newly-appointed captain Ross Graham is a "big loss" to Dundee United after being ruled out for three months following hamstring surgery, says manager Jim Goodwin.Academy graduate Graham, 24, was appointed skipper of his boyhood club this week, but will be sidelined until late October.Goodwin admitted the defender has had a recurring injury over the past 10 months and it "affected him greatly" in the second half of last season.The latest setback came in the friendly with Oldham Athletic on Sunday.Goodwin, speaking before Thursday's Conference League qualifier first leg against UNA Strassen in Luxembourg, said: "He's seen some specialists and had surgery to the hamstring."Hopefully, over the next two to three months, he will make a complete recovery. He will be back and available to play for us somewhere around the end of October."It's a big loss for us as a group. Particularly for myself having made him club captain."Graham is the first homegrown captain of the club this century and although he won't be on the pitch, Goodwin is adamant he'll still have an impact on the squad."He's a local lad," he added. "He knows what the club means to the supporters and he's able to relay that message to all of 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."