Andy Taylor became the latest of United's injury victims when he limped off at half-time during the win against Reading.

With Gary Naysmith still to play this season the left-back slot has been filled by a succession of defenders who have all been stricken at some time.

Summer signing Taylor has been the major incumbent on the left of the back four but Kevin Blackwell reveals that he now faces a spell on the sidelines:

"He has a groin injury which will mean that he is out for between two and five weeks. It affected him during the first-half but he gave it what he could and showed the kind of spirit we have here.

"They all want to play and Lee Williamson, despite a hamstring niggle sustained on Saturday, was desperate to make the bench.

"We are only a point off fourth place now and it really is now about keeping my best 15/16 players fit for the rest of the season because they are comparable with anybody in this division.

"We have just about overcome all the injuries we suffered in the first half of the season and that was the sole reason that we struggled - too many new players at once trying to fill in.

"Only now are we starting to get a fully fit settled unit on the park and we are seeing the benefits. Although I am aware that we still slightly short, there is everything to play for."