Progress being made towards permit for Dundee United’s Eiji Kawashima

Dundee United goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima is closing in on his debut but it won’t happen at Kilmarnock.

The Tangerines travel to Rugby Park tomorrow for yet another massive match and will again be without the Japanese international shot-stopper.

However, progress is finally being made in the long, drawn-out quest to get him a work permit

It is understood the Tannadice club have been told the Home Office has no objection to one being issued to the 32-year-old.

The matter should now be decided by the SFA next week and United are hopeful that will prove to be no more than a formality.

In Kawashima’s favour is the expectation that he will be reinstalled as Japan’s number one keeper as soon as he is back playing club football.

That leaves the home match against Partick Thistle a week on Saturday as the likely date for his United debut.