Dundee United's injury-hit defender Lee Wilkie looks certain to undergo surgery after picking up an injury in training.

The 29-year-old has been plagued by knee trouble for the past five years and tweaked his knee again after going over on his ankle.

Levein has confirmed the experienced stopper has been unable to straighten his knee and suspects a minor operation will be required.

Wilkie only recently returned to the side, but missed United's 1-1 draw with Hamilton and now faces another spell on the sidelines.

"Lee's knee has locked up again and he had a scan on Saturday," revealed Levein.

"It looks like he's got a bit of cartilage damage so we think he'll need to get an operation to shave a bit of it off.

"He went over on his ankle last Thursday and I think he gave his knee a jerk at the same time.

"He's hobbling about and can't get his knee straightened so we've got to get it seen to."