Testing time for injury-plagued United SC against Churchill

United have begun well under Eelco Schattorie but come tomorrow the Dutchman will have a tough task at hand without Costa Rican star midfielder Carlos Hernandez, Chintamani Rao, James Singh and Ravinder Singh.

Dipak Mondal and Malswam Tulunga are also unlikely to start as they did not practice in today. In such a scenario, Schattorie will have to resort to his reserve players against Chruchill under veteran Subhas Bhowmick.

From the Goans' point of view Beto (Roberto Mendes Silva) will make a comeback after having missed the previous outing against Shillong Lajong as they would look to climb to the second spot in the standings.

Churchill will also high on confidence after their 1-0 win at Shillong in the last round, where United SC had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar.

United have 'show-caused' former Costa Rican World Cupper for breach of discipline in the team's previous match.

The player is yet to reply to the clarifications sought about his "unwarranted behaviour and a public show of disregard", in which the player apparently disagreed to his replacement midway in the match against Salgaocar.

Hernandez did not attend the team practice and has given a medical certificate to the team management saying that he had "fever".

The Coasta Rican may well have to warm the bench as the club seems inclined to apply an undeclared one-match suspension on the player.

"Carlos is our player and he has to follow the discipline of the club. We will think about fielding him in the match against Churchill Brothers only once he replies to the explanations sought by the club," said Schattorie after the team's practice session today.

The United coach also has to worry about a spate of injuries to majority of his 'first-team' players like Shylo Malswamtluanga and New Zealander Kayne Vincent. MORE