By Ian Roache

DUNDEE UNITED star David Fernandez is fighting to be fit for the SPL showdown with Kilmarnock.

The Spaniard has provided most of the highlights during what has been an inauspicious spell for the Tangerines of late, and would be sorely missed at Tannadice tomorrow.

“David is a big concern for us because, although he did a bit of training, he wasn’t running freely and is not 100%,” said manager Gordon Chisholm.

“He has bruising all down his legs and we will have to monitor him over the next 48 hours or so.”

The news is better regarding Barry Robson, despite the player having yet to do a full week’s training this season.

“Barry has had a couple of days’ worth of treatment but he should be fine,” added Chisholm.

“He has been doing work on the bike and the swimming pool but it is not the same as match fitness.”

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies, meanwhile, has warned his players not to let history repeat itself tomorrow.

The Rugby Park side were widely tipped to defeat a troubled Tannadice team last December with United on a run of one SPL win in 13 matches.

But goals from Barry Robson and Jim McIntyre (two) ensured a 3-0 win for the Tangerines.

“Last year, we went up there after Ian McCall had a couple of indifferent results and it was billed as a make-or-break game and they came right out of the traps, scoring twice in the first half,” said Jefferies.

“We know it will be similar on Saturday.

“They have had a bit of criticism and lost last week at Dunfermline, but they have some quality players who, maybe, know themselves they are underachieving a wee bit.

“We’ve seen it many times—teams get criticised and it galvanises them to get a result.”

The Killie boss sympathised with United counterpart Chisholm, who has seen the pressure on him increase in the wake of successive defeats from Inverness Caley Thistle and Dunfermline.

“I’ve got sympathy for every manager,” added Jefferies.

“They should all get MBEs because it’s a tough job and it gets tougher and tougher.

“It is hard for a young man like Gordon, even though he has lots of experience of being a number two, and will now know it is different and there is no manual to do it.

“You just have to learn from your mistakes, get your head down and believe what you’re doing is right.”

Kilmarnock have no injury worries ahead of the game, with midfielder Gary Locke and striker Colin Nish returning to training this week.