Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon has admitted he would be interested in a fully-fit David Templeton.
The former Hearts and Rangers winger has been given use of the Tangerines’ training facilities at St Andrews and that is as far as the arrangement goes at the moment.
However, McKinnon is keeping an eye on his progress and would be keen if Templeton gets himself into shape.
The 28-year-old even tried his luck in Major League Soccer with a trial at Vancouver Whitecaps but he has returned to Scotland with a view to getting his career back on track.
Templeton has been without a club since leaving Ibrox last summer but thanks to United goalkeeper Cammy Bell he could now have a path back to first-team football.
McKinnon said: “He has just been training with us.
“He needed somewhere to go in order to get his fitness up to speed.
“He is a pal of Cammy’s from their time together at Rangers.
“Cammy asked me if I could help him out and I said: ‘Yes, no worries.’
“Where we’re at with him is that we are helping out at the moment.
“However, we are also right here in the hope that he does something exceptional.
“He has to get fit because he has missed a fair amount.
“He is a bit away from being ready in terms of his weight and needs to get in shape.
“However, you can see in training that he has lots of ability and is a good player.
“He also came up for our game against Raith on Saturday so he is quite keen.
“That was pleasing for me to see that kind of attitude.”
There was bad news on the selection front for United, with confirmation that key central defender William Edjenguele is suspended for their trip to Falkirk tomorrow.
McKinnon joked: “See if I knew he had this ban coming up I wouldn’t have agreed to have this game rearranged for this weekend!
“Seriously, though, he will be a big miss for us because he has done really well for the team.
“He has played almost every minute for us and been a steadying influence.
“He gets on and does his job every week.
“The situation in central defence certainly gives me something to think about for the Falkirk game.”
The Tangerines are aiming to pick up where they left off when they face the Bairns, having looked good for their 3-0 win over Raith Rovers last weekend.
It was a fine return to form after a winless month.
McKinnon added: “You know what, we had a wee blip.
“Everybody gets them and we hadn’t had one for a while.
“I thought the performance at Dunfermline was good, and we were also good for 30 minutes of the second half up at Ross County.
“Last Saturday, the second half was very, very good.
“The energy was good and the lads looked sharp.
“We are training at a different level again, which is great.
“Everybody has the bit between their teeth again, which is a good sign.
“Falkirk are a tough team who have been together for a few years now.
“You know what you are getting with them.
“They are a decent, hard-working side and have a good goal threat.
“Probably after Easter Road, you are looking at a trip to Falkirk as one of the toughest away games in the division.
“If we win, though, it will close the gap on Hibs to three points so that’s a big incentive.”
Meanwhile, United have handed contract extensions to teenage trio Logan Davie, Graham Taylor and Scott Allardice.
McKinnon said: “I am delighted we have secured the three lads.
“Each possesses so much potential and I am looking forward to see them to push for inclusion in the first-team squad on a regular basis soon.
“While my focus so far has been primarily on the first team, it is paramount that Dundee United continue to produce talent capable of developing into the first team and beyond.”
