By Graeme Dey

LEE WILKIE is ready to get on his bike as he seeks to stay on top of his well-documented knee problem.

But the Dundee United defender pledged to avoid following the lead of assistant manager Peter Houston who broke both elbows in a fall while out cycling earlier this summer.

United yesterday took delivery of three top-of- the-range mountain bikes from local shop Nicholson’s Cycles.

These will be used not only to assist the rehab of long term casualties Jon Daly and Keith Watson, but also to furnish Wilkie with a stimulating way of maintaining leg conditioning.

“I’ve been doing loads of spin classes in the gym— but that’s a bit limited so I’ve been nipping the physio’s head to get out on the roads,” he revealed.

“This will make it a bit more interesting, although hard work. In fact, with the wee roads around St Andrews it might even be tougher and I’d reckon we’ll be doing 70 or 80 miles a week. But I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve not been on a real bike for years and years but they say you never forget how to do it. I did my cycling proficiency at the school, like everyone did, so I know the rules of the road.

“And after seeing what happened to Housty I know that you shouldn’t fire the front handbrakes on too hard.

“Cycling is great for building up the leg muscles and when you look at Chris Hoy you see the impact it has. I’m quite a bit away from having thighs that size yet but it would be good for me to build them up like that to protect my knees.

“In saying that, my knee is much better now, 10 times better in fact.

“Towards the end of last season it was sore. You could feel it cracking. But I’ve got none of that now.”

Meanwhile, manager Craig Levein revealed he isn’t particularly looking to part with Danny Grainger, a signing target for St Johnstone.

“St Johnstone have made an offer and we’ve turned it down so we’ll wait and see if they come back with another one,” said Levein.

“I’m not desperately wanting to sell him. If Danny doesn’t go and is still here for the new season I’ll be happy with that.

“He’s been a bit unfortunate because Paul Dixon came here and had a fantastic season.

“But he’s a Premier League full-back and if he does go we’d have to replace him, which won’t be easy, so it would suit me fine for him to stay with us.’’

United season ticket holders have until this weekend to renew for their existing seat for next season.

After that, all seats where tickets have not been renewed will be made available for general sale.