Dundee United boss optimistic Eiji Kawashima will be free to face St Johnstone

Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen remains hopeful that Eiji Kawashima will be signed in time for to face St Johnstone.

The Japanese international goalkeeper is still waiting on a work permit from the Home Office and that means he has not even been able to train with the Tangerines.

The club expect the matter to be resolved by early next week, though, giving Paatelainen the option of picking him to face the men from Perth at Tannadice on Saturday.

The United head coach said: “We are dealing with a professional athlete who cannot train because he is not allowed to work with us.

“The longer it takes for it to happen, the more frustrating it is.

“It is not ideal but, hopefully, it will happen soon.

“It is wonderful that a player of Kawashima’s pedigree could join us.

“We have young keepers here but he brings plenty of experience.

“His World Cup experience can only improve the quality of our team.

“It’s wonderful for the Premiership and Dundee United that this kind of player will be coming in, depending on the work permit meeting.

“There will be huge benefits for us when we have him on board.”