Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon’s recruitment drive reached top gear as three trialists arrived and two signings edged closer.
Bournemouth central defender Stephane Zubar, Slovenian striker Alen Ploj and 19-year-old West Bromwich Albion attacking midfielder Joe Ward all joined the Tangerines for pre-season training at St Andrews yesterday.
Zubar (29) is a Guadeloupe international, Ploj (23) has played at under-21 level for Slovenia, while Ward is 19 and English-born.
There will be more trialists arriving later this week, including Reading central defender Zak Jules.
The signing of Kilmarnock frontman Tope Obadeyi is understood to be imminent, while McKinnon remains hopeful of getting central defender Lewis Toshney from Raith Rovers.
Also, former Tannadice midfielder Willo Flood has been released by Aberdeen and is believed to be interesting his old club.
McKinnon said: “We have three trialists in and I am looking forward to seeing all of them in training.
“I have another trialist coming up on Wednesday night then we will get Zak Jules later in the week.
“Also, my hope is that we get a couple of signings in this week, if we can.
“So it’s all good and everything is starting to take shape.
“I want to see them in a match setting sow we are playing Cove Rangers behind closed doors on Saturday and I’ll also try to get a bounce game on Thursday just between ourselves.”
McKinnon has also spent time talking to players who were left off the short “keep” list issued towards the end of lasts season but who will now get a chance to impress him.
Paul Dixon is staying on after appearing at one stage to be on his way, while the likes of Coll Donaldson and Mark Durnan will also be given an opportunity by theit new gaffer.
McKinnon added: “The response from those lads has been brilliant.
“They are responding well to me telling them that they have a chance.
“For example, Paul is staying and he has had a wee spring in his step since coming back for training.
“We are looking to get the best of him and I’m sure we will.
“I want to make the players feel wanted and valued.”
Meanwhile, former Dundee United star Ryan Gauld could be on his way back to the United Kingdom.
The Scotland under-21 international, who left Tannadice to join Sporting Lisbon two years ago, is being linked with a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday.
Gaul (20) was included in Sporting’s first-team squad for next season but the Portuguese side may still decide to farm him out for a year.