United pair Jeff Smith and Danny Livesey have both been referred to specialists as they battle against injuries in the early part of the New Year.

Defender Livesey, 24, has been suffering from a niggling knee complaint for a number of weeks, but has been able to play despite the problem.

Greg Abbott said: "Danny will get his knee checked today, and then we'll know what we are dealing with.

"Danny is a really good, honest lad who plays through everything, but it got to the stage where he said he needed someone to look at it. He is not feeling as comfortable with it as he was, and he doesn't want to do anything that would be to the detriment of the team. That's the type of guy he is, so we'll have a look at it and see what happens later on today."

Midfielder Smith, 28, has been out since the beginning of January with a hip injury, and will have a second scan in an attempt to ascertain the full extent of the problem.

Abbott explained: "He is driving down South with Dolly to see someone later tonight ... so Dolly is going to have a busy day.

"They will consult the surgeon and, as always with these cases, we'll know more once that process has been completed."

The Official site will have a full injury update on Friday.