Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has admitted that Michael Gardyne may have to look elsewhere this season if he wants to play regular football.
The former Celtic and Ross County midfielder moved from Dingwall to Tannadice in the summer of 2012.
However, last season, 28-year-old Gardyne was loaned out to Kilmarnock and with competition in midfield expected to be fierce at United in the upcoming campaign, the Dundonian may have to leave the club again either on loan or in a permanent deal.
McNamara said: “We’ve spoken to Michael to see what’s best for him moving forward. At this stage in his career, I think he wants to play football.
“We’re very strong in his position which is midfield so we’ve got to see what’s best for him.”
United may have lost two of their brightest talents this summer in the shape of Ryan Gauld to Sporting Lisbon and earlier this week Andy Robertson to English Premier League outfit Hull City, but McNamara remains confident of his side’s prospects for the season ahead.
That is partly based on the way new arrivals such as Callum Morris, Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer, Mario Bilate and Jaroslaw Fojut are settling in at the club.
McNamara said: “I think the squad is taking shape quite nicely. I think the players who have come in during the summer look the part.
“They look as though they’re ready to stake a claim in the season ahead. That’s the important thing. We made a few changes for the Hibs game last weekend and it worked out quite well.”
The new arrivals have made an immediate impact and McNamara also admitted he is expecting big things of someone who has been at the club a bit longer, Aidan Connolly.
The youngster was snapped up last summer along with Robertson from Queen’s Park and has taken a while to fully adjust to the demands of full-time football.
Now though his manager believes a physically stronger Connolly is ready to make his mark.
McNamara added: “I think he’s a prospect for the season ahead. He’s come back and looks stronger, fitter and sharper. We shouldn’t just see him as a kid any more.
“Along with Blair Spittal, he’ll see what’s happened to Andy and will want to do well as well. Aidan will have the desire and hunger to come in and make an impression.”