Dundee United defender Christian Kalvenes has been sent back to Norway for treatment in a bid to get him fit to face Celtic on Boxing Day.The left-back has been unable to shake off a hamstring problem that has plagued him for the past three weeks.

United's former SK Brann star has had a similar problem before and was cured by a Scandinavian specialist, so United have sent him across the North Sea to seek out his advice again.

Kalvenes has been outstanding this season and, although he is certain to miss the Premier League clash with Gretna, manager Craig Levein hopes to have him back in action against the Hoops.

Levein revealed: "Christian is back in Norway getting some treatment on his hamstring.

"He has had this problem before and saw this particular guy across there and it helped him.

"I have enough experience of dealing with foreign players to know that you are better letting them do what they are comfortable with.

"He's back on Friday and, although he won't make the weekend, I am hopeful that'll be the whole thing resolved.

"Fingers crossed he'll be okay for the Celtic match and, if he is, that would give us a huge boost because he's been excellent."

Levein also revealed he expects on-loan striker Jordan Robertson to see out the season at Tannadice after recent talks with Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson suggested he would not be recalled during the January transfer window.

The youngster signed a deal to the end of the campaign but a recall clause for January was inserted in the contract.

Levein expects to have use of the highly-rated player right through until May.

He said: "The deal with Jordan runs until the end of the season unless they want to call him back in January.

"I've spoken to Bryan Robson often enough regarding how Jordan is doing and I'm sure he'd have mentioned it if his intention was to cut short the arrangement."

Gretna will be looking to make it two wins out of two against United after taking all three points from them earlier in the season.

It was Gretna's only top-flight win so far and they are desperate to get another in the bag.

A win for the Black and Whites would be a massive confidence booster and seal their position as United's bogey team.

But Gretna manager Davie Irons said: "Dundee United won't want to get beaten by Gretna again.

"So we need to be aware of that and know they will be out with a point to prove."

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