Jack Ross addresses Mark Connolly loan recall and Dundee United trialist trio

By Alan Temple

July 24 2022, 12:00pm

Talks: Connolly

Mark Connolly is not in Dundee United’s first-team plans despite being recalled from his loan spell at Dundalk.

Connolly, who has one year left on his contract at Tannadice, joined the League of Ireland outfit in January and swiftly emerged as a mainstay in their side.

And Dundalk have confirmed that they are pursuing a deal to bring him back to Oriel Park during the current transfer window.

Connolly joined Dundee United in 2019 and has played 67 times for the club. — Connolly joined United in 2019 and has played 67 times for the club.

“I’m not sure exactly where that one is,” said Ross.

“But in terms of how I’ve been building the squad in pre-season — and into the new campaign — it has very much been without Mark.

“That’s how it was planned to be and that’ll remain the case at the moment.”

Trialist trio

Meanwhile, Ross spoke for the first time about United trialists Cristiano Fitzgerald, Sadat Anaku and Enock Walusimbi.

Fitzgerald, 18, is an Irish winger who emerged through the youth ranks at Boavista.

Striker Anaku and defender Walusimbi are both from Uganda.

Sadat Anaku of KCCA FC, right, controls the ball on his chest.

The trio played in a friendly against Leicester City last week.

However, Ross confirmed that they are not initially seen as contenders to go into the first-team — IF they win contracts.

“They have all been involved more in B-team stuff so I’ve not seen much of them,” continued the United head coach. “It’s not had anything to do with me at the moment.

“It’s very much looking at the B-team side of things and, like any player, there would be the potential to push into the first-team.

“However, in terms of how they are being looked at for the moment, it’s for the B-team.”

New arrivals?

United suffered a 2-1 defeat in their final pre-season friendly against Fleetwood Town on Saturday, albeit their performance — with Dylan Levitt and Steven Fletcher in the starting line-up — was vastly improved.

And Ross has not ruled out further additions ahead of next weekend’s Premiership opener at Kilmarnock.

He added: “We still have the potential to add to it this week which would again strengthen us. You can see the difference when we are at full strength.”