Darren Dods could complete a remarkable recovery in time to boost Dundee United's quest for European football by featuring against Hibernian.The former Easter Road defender had been virtually ruled out of Sunday's SPL clash after appearing to have aggravated a muscle injury in his foot, but he stunned manager Craig Levein by returning to training on Friday.

That proved a timely piece of good news for the United manager, who has Garry Kenneth suspended and was therefore preparing to send out a makeshift defence in what could prove to be a pivotal afternoon in the race for third place.

Levein revealed: "Darren has not trained all week so we didn't think he stood a chance, but he came in this morning asking if he could give it a shot.

"He did the whole session and didn't seem to have any problems so we'll see how he is overnight before looking at it again.

"With Garry Kenneth suspended, I was going to have to change things about a bit at the back but if Darren is available, that would be a massive boost."

United currently lie ahead of Mixu Paatelainen's men on goal difference and hope to make use of home advantage in order to surge three points ahead with four matches remaining.

They then face Motherwell, who Levein believes remain favourites to finish third, and it is only after those rounds of matches have been played that the United boss thinks a clearer picture will emerge.

He said: "I really don't like looking further ahead than the next game, but this week I have been looking at those two together.

"Right now, I still believe Motherwell are favourites - they are third and have a game in hand on ourselves and Hibs, so they have to be.

"However, if we win on Sunday and then beat Motherwell, we would be looking good, although there would still be work to do.

"That's not to say we'd be out of it if we did not win both, but it would be a boost if we could take maximum points."

Levein gave his team last week off because they did not have a fixture, and while he would normally dread a free week at this stage of the season in case it broke up their momentum, he insists rest has ensured his players returned revitalised.

He said: "It has the makings of a very good game and what I am looking for is the players to take the form they were showing before the split and continue it.

"We have been playing very well and although when it's like that you don't usually want a free weekend like we've just had, it has been a busy time for us and I felt the players needed the break.

"I gave them a few days off because they deserved them and they have come back this week looking fresh and the training has been good."

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