Dundee United striker Francisco Sandaza faces another six weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs groin surgery.

Sandaza, 24, has yet to feature for United this season and must now go under the knife to repair abductor muscle damage.

Manager Craig Levein insisted the outcome was the lesser of two evils for the Spaniard.

He said in the Daily Record: "It's not good news that Fran is going to be sidelined for a further spell.

"But this is the better of two possible outcomes. It was either this scenario or an operation that would have resulted in him being out for three months."