Slovenian trialist Alen Ploj looks to have blown his chances of a permanent contract with Dundee United.
The 23-year-old striker has been training with the Tangerines since the beginning of last week.
Having initially impressed as he worked out with the first-team squad, his prospects of earning a long-term deal looked good when he struck twice in last Saturday’s 3-0 closed-door win over Highland League Cove Rangers.
Boss Ray McKinnon did admit there were some aspects of Ploj’s game he wanted another look at.
That’s why he played at Forfar on Tuesday night in a 1-1 friendly draw earned by a side made up mainly of kids.
And in a game United dominated for long spells, Ploj missed a couple of clear-cut opportunities.
That, plus a generally-quiet performance for the 63 minutes he was on the pitch, is likely to mean United take their search for another striker elsewhere.
The manager has refused to make a snap decision on Ploj and won’t make up his mind for another day or two.
But the fact it will come before Saturday’s Forfarshire Cup trip to Brechin is not a good sign.
“With the chances he had I thought Alen might have had a hat-trick,” said Ray.
“It was just unfortunate for him and he did take his goals well on Saturday.
“I’ll have a think about what I’ve seen from him and come to a decision soon.”
Missed chances apart, Ray was satisfied with the performance from his young team at Station Park.
He felt a victory by a couple of goals would not have flattered them.
He added: “Forfar gave us a good test and they’re an experienced team but I think it is fair to say that, apart from the penalty that gave them the lead, they didn’t have a shot on target all night.
“I felt we were a bit slow with our play in the first half but we stepped the tempo up in the second and we created a good few chances.
“I was also pleased with the way the boys kept going right to the end of the game.
“They didn’t let their heads go down and they got their reward for that.
“I thought Justin Johnson deserved his goal because once he got down the flanks like we’d been telling him to he was a real threat to them.”
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