DOUKARA ABSENCE OPENS DOOR

DOUKARA ABSENCE OPENS DOOR

Suspended striker to miss out against Wolves...

United will be without suspended striker Souleymane Doukara for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to Elland Road on Saturday, but head coach Darko Milanic says he has plenty of options.

Doukara, who is United’s top goalscorer with five goals in all competitions, picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Norwich and serves a one-match suspension as a result.

The 23-year-old’s absence could pave the way for Billy Sharp to return to the side, providing he gets over a slight injury worry, while the likes of Steve Morison and Brian Montenegro could also come into contention.

Doukara netted a 63rd-minute equaliser to secure a point at Norwich and although Milanic admits the French-born forward will be missed, the head coach says there are other players ready to step in.

"The move was very good and Doukara did a lot of dirty jobs, he played well in this game," said Milanic.

"In football, I talk everyday how important the group is. For the players, it is difficult for the ones that won’t play but it is important that they are ready.

"This means Billy, Morison and Montenegro are ready to play and if somebody cannot play, they can play well.

"I have to look how the situation is with Billy Sharp because of his situation with a muscular injury."

Montenegro is yet to feature for the first team since his arrival from Nacional this summer, but the 21-year-old striker has impressed for the Under-21s, scoring four times in six games.

"He trained hard and well," said Milanic. "Everything is new to him, it’s important for him that he is with us, trains with us and when I give him a chance, he takes his chance.

"He’s different. He’s not like Doukara or Antenucci, he’s different."

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