Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has decided not to offer trialist centre-half Stephane Zubar a contract at the club.
The defender played in a bounce game at the Tangerines’ St Andrews training base yesterday afternoon against Blackpool with the English side winning 3-0.
Two other unnamed trialists took part in what was United’s last run-out before their first competitive game of the season in the Betfred Cup against Arbroath at Gayfield on Friday night.
McKinnon made several changes from the team that started against Brechin at the weekend with Luis Zwick coming in between the sticks for Cammy Bell, recent signing Tope Obadeyi got some more valuable game time under his belt and Mark Durnan returned after recovering from an ankle knock.
Blackpool, who had former Dundee players Kyle Letheren and Jim McAlister in their ranks, took the lead in the 31st minute thanks to a Danny Philliskirk penalty with the same player extending their advantage just six minutes later.
McKinnon shuffled his pack in the second-half, bringing on youngsters including Ali Coote, Jamie Robson and Cammy Ballantyne but it was the Seasiders who scored again to make it 3-0 through Jamille Matt.
McKinnon admitted that while Zubar was away, he is going to have another look at one of the unnamed trialists.
The manager said: “It was very much a bounce game with us fielding almost two different teams.
“Before we lost the penalty, I felt we were the better team but it was still a good exercise against a big, strong Blackpool side.
“I thought the young boys did great when they came on in the second-half and it was good for Tope to get another 45 minutes. Thankfully, we also didn’t pick up any injuries.
“We had three trialists playing including Zubar but I have decided not to pursue my interest in him or one of the others.
“However, I do want to have another look at the third one and he will be staying with us.”
