Dundee United have been handed a major fitness boost after the groin strain sustained by star striker Louis Moult against Inverness Caledonian Thistle proved minor.

Moult, 31, limped off after just 34 minutes of the contest after slumping to the turf for treatment, with boss Jim Goodwin taking no risks as he immediately withdrew the experienced marksman.

He was replaced by Tony Watt and the Tangerines ultimately claimed a last-gasp 1-0 victory in the Highlands.

However, subsequent tests have shown no serious damage and it is understood the former Motherwell man could yet be in contention to face Queen’s Park at Tannadice on Saturday.

Moult has not taken part in full training during the early part of the week — with medical staff monitoring his progress — but it is hoped he could feature in the coming days.

Goodwin will make a late call on his availability to face Robin Veldman’s side.

Should Moult be sidelined for the visit of the Spiders, then Watt, impressive against the Caley Jags, will step in to lead the line for the Tangerines.

However, any fears that Moult could be destined for a concerted spell on the treatment table have proved unfounded; a huge fillip for United, given Moult’s importance for the table-topping Terrors.

He has made eight goal contributions — finding the net five times and teeing up another three — in nine appearances for the club.

Former Dundee United favourite Duncan Ferguson has been appointed manager of Championship strugglers Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The 51-year-old replaces Billy Dodds at the helm of the Highlanders, who sit rock-bottom of the second tier following their dramatic 1-0 defeat against United on Saturday.

The ex-Everton coach has signed a three-year deal with the Caley Jags.

It is Ferguson’s first involvement in Scottish club football since leaving Rangers in 1994, and represents a swift return to the dugout after his seven-month spell in charge of Forest Green Rovers came to an end in July.

And he will hope to revive the fortunes of toiling Inverness, starting with a clash with in-form Arbroath.

Playing days

Ferguson, who scored 35 goals in 88 appearances for Dundee United prior to joining Rangers for £4 million in 1993, will return to Tannadice, in the away dugout, on November 4.

After leaving Ibrox, he enjoyed two spells with Everton, either side of a stint with Newcastle United and was capped seven times by Scotland.

Ferguson served a three-month prison sentence after being found guilty of an on-field assault of Raith Rovers’ John McStay in 1994 while playing for the Gers.