Thursday 23 October 2014 18:53, UK
Dundee United have confirmed Mark Wilson and Paul Paton will not play for the club this weekend, pending an internal investigation into their conduct.
However, manager Jackie McNamara would not comment on whether it is linked to an alleged street attack on Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.
Zaluska required hospital treatment for a head injury following an attack early on Monday morning.
Police are investigating the incident and no one has been arrested in connection with the assault.
But, regarding his decision to make the pair unavailable this weekend, McNamara told Sky Sports News HQ: "I've decided I think it's best to keep them out of the limelight, with the attention that's surrounding it. We're doing an internal investigation that will not be done by me, it'll be (done) by the club to make sure everything's okay.
"It's more a disruption if they're here at the moment.
"My focus is Saturday and that's why we decided to do that, to get the rest of the players ready for the game, because to me that's what we're here for, to play games of football.
"We'll try to focus the best we can despite all the attention.
"The two players are Mark Wilson and Paul Paton. It will take as long as it takes. It's out of my hands - the club's dealing with it."
And the club made a statement on Wednesday, which reads: "Dundee United Football Club has commenced an internal investigation into the conduct of two of its players following information received by the club."
Police are investigating the incident involving Zaluska but have refused to comment on reports that another Scottish Premiership player was involved.
Celtic manager Ronny Deila has absolved Polish goalkeeper Zaluska of any blame. Former Celtic coach Neil Lennon was knocked unconscious on the same street in an attack in 2008.
Wilson has already stated he tried to "calm a matter down" involving Zaluska in Ashton Lane.
The 30-year-old, who played with the goalkeeper at Celtic, released a statement through a spokesperson which reads: "There has been a lot of publicity surrounding events on Sunday night in Ashton Lane.
"Mark Wilson would like to clarify matters regarding himself. Mark was out for a meal with his wife and some other couples.
"On his way home with his wife, they came across his friend and former team-mate Lukasz Zaluska.
"Mark tried to calm a matter down and latterly to help Lukasz as he was in a distressed situation."
